System, device, and method for initializing a plurality of electronic devices using a single packet

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a semiconductor system may be disclosed. The semiconductor system according to the one embodiment may include, for example, a plurality of electronic devices and a host apparatus. The host apparatus may simultaneously initialize the plurality of electronic devices in units of group.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S.Pat. No. 9,141,398. The reissue applications are application Ser. No.17/176,474 (the present application), which is a continuation reissue ofapplication Ser. No. 16/512,828, now RE48,495, which is a continuationreissue of application Ser. No. 15/464,041, now RE47,598, which is anapplication for reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 9,141,398.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Applications No. 2009-286791, filed Dec. 17, 2009; andNo. 2010-021569, filed Feb. 2, 2010; the entire contents of both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

This application is further a U.S. national phase application under 35U.S.C. §371 of international application PCT/JP2010/073469 filed Dec.17, 2010, and the entire contents of which are also incorporated hereinby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a semiconductor system,a semiconductor device, and an electronic device initializing method.For example, the embodiments relate to a semiconductor system includingplural electronic devices.

BACKGROUND ART

An SD™ card is well known as a memory system in which a NAND type flashmemory is used. An SD interface is well known as an interface betweenthe SD card and a host apparatus. In the SD interface, plural devicescan be connected to one bus. For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,148discloses the above-described configuration.

However, in the conventional method, when more devices are controlled byone host apparatus, it takes a long time to initialize the devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor system according to a firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the semiconductorsystem of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are timing charts of a symbol and a signal of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the semiconductor system of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic device of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are conceptual views of a frame format of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are flowcharts illustrating operations of a hostapparatus and the electronic device of the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the semiconductor system of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a conceptual view of the frame format of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are flowcharts illustrating the electronic device ofthe first embodiment;

FIGS. 15 to 18 are block diagrams of the semiconductor system of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating capability of the electronic device ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a conceptual view of the frame format of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 21 is a conceptual view of a frame format according to a secondembodiment;

FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 are flowcharts illustrating operations of anelectronic device and a host apparatus of the second embodiment;

FIGS. 24 to 30 are block diagrams of a semiconductor system of thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a conceptual view of the frame format of the secondembodiment;

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of a semiconductor system according to athird embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a flag and an operation of a hostapparatus of the third embodiment;

FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 are block diagrams of a semiconductor systemaccording to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a block diagram of a semiconductor system according to afifth embodiment;

FIG. 37 is a block diagram of a semiconductor system according to asixth embodiment; and

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating allocation of signals to signal pinsof an electronic device of the sixth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, a semiconductor system includesplural electronic devices and a host apparatus. The host apparatusinitializes plural electronic devices in units of group.

First Embodiment

A semiconductor system and an electronic device initializing methodaccording to a first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is ablock diagram illustrating an example of the semiconductor system of thefirst embodiment.

Configuration of Semiconductor System

Referring to FIG. 1 , a semiconductor system 1 includes a host apparatus2 and a semiconductor devide 3.

The host apparatus 2 includes at least one input port and at least oneoutput port. The host apparatus 2 controls an operation of thesemiconductor device 3 through the ports to administer an operation ofthe semiconductor system 1. For example, each port is configured as adifferential pair according to a LVDS (low voltage differentialSignaling) method. Hereinafter, a signal output from the output port ofthe host apparatus 2 is referred to as a signal D0, and differentialsignals of the signal D0 are referred to as signals D0+ and D0−. Asignal input to the output port of the host apparatus 2 is referred toas a signal D1, and differential signals of the signal D1 are referredto as signals D1+ and D1−. The host apparatus 2 assembles a packetincluding a command and data, and the host apparatus 2 transmits thepacket to the semiconductor device 3 to control the operation of thesemiconductor device 3. The host apparatus 2 receives the packettransmitted from the semiconductor device 3 to perform the operationaccording to the received packet.

The semiconductor device 3 includes N (N is a natural number morethan 1) electronic devices 4. Hereinafter, the N electronic devices 4are referred to as electronic devices 4-i (i is 1 to N) whendistinguished from one another.

In the first embodiment, each of the electronic devices 4 includes aninput signal pin 5, an output signal pin 6, a packet decoder 7, aprocessing unit 8, a register 9, and a packet update circuit 10.Similarly, when the electronic devices 4-i are distinguished from oneanother, the units are referred to as an input signal pin 5-i, an outputsignal pin 6-i, a packet decoder 7-i, a processing unit 8-i, register9-i, and a packet update circuit 10-i.

The input signal pin 5 including plural signals acts as at least oneinput port to receive the packet provided from the outside. The inputsignal pin 5 transfers the received packet to the packet decoder 7.

The packet decoder 7 is configured to be able to analyze the packettransferred from the input signal pin 5. The packet decoder 7distinguishes kinds of the packets using a command identifier in apacket header. The packet decoder 7 commands the processing unit 8 toperform a necessary calculation in response to the kind of the packet.The packet decoder 7 commands the packet update circuit 10 to update thereceived packet if needed.

The processing unit 8 is configured to be able to perform necessaryprocessing in response to the command from the packet decoder 7.Examples of the processing contents include initialization of the deviceand computation of a device ID. On computing the device ID, theprocessing unit 8 causes the register 9 to retain the device ID. Thedevice ID means a number that is unique to each electronic device 4, andthe host apparatus can identify each electronic device 4 using thedevice ID. When the received packet is not broadcast (for example,unicast or multicast), the packet decoder 7 compares the device ID thatis included as address information in the packet with the device ID inthe register 9, which allows the packet decoder 7 to determine whetherthe packet is direct to the semiconductor device 3.

The packet update circuit 10 updates contents of a payload of thereceived packet, and the packet update circuit 10 outputs the packet tothe outside from the output signal pin 6 that includes the pluralsignals to act as at least one output port. For example, the packetupdate circuit 10 updates the contents of the payload according tocalculation result of the processing unit 8. There are two kinds oftiming in which the packet is output from the output signal pin 6, thatis, the case in which the received packet is transmitted as soon aspossible irrespective of a processing status of the device to thereceived packet, and the case in which the packet is transmitted afterthe device performs the processing to the received packet. It depends onthe command identifier of the packet and a state of the device.

The N electronic devices 4-1 to 4-N having the above-describedconfiguration are ring-connected (or chain-connected) to the hostapparatus 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1 . That is, the packet transmittedfrom the host apparatus 2 is received by the electronic device 4-1,transferred from the electronic device 4-1 to the electronic device 4-2,and transferred from the electronic device 4-2 to the electronic device4-3. After that, similar steps are repeated. Then the packet output fromthe output signal pin 6-N of the electronic device 4-N is returned tothe host apparatus 2. The semiconductor device 3 of FIG. 1 includes aconfiguration in which the semiconductor device 3 includes electronicdevices 4-1 to 4-N and a hub (see a fourth embodiment). Almost all thepieces of communication conducted using the ring connection are used inthe communication between the host and the electronic device andoccasionally used in the communication between the electronic devices.For example, when the electronic device 4-2 does not correctly receivedata, which is transmitted from electronic device 4-1 to the electronicdevice 4-2, due to a noise, the electronic device 4-2 can make a requestto transmit the data again. At this point, the electronic device 4-1 isnotifies of the retransmission request made by the electronic device 4-2through the electronic devices 4-3 to 4-N and the host apparatus 2,which allows the electronic device 4-1 to retransmit the data.

Operation of Semiconductor System 1

An operation of the semiconductor system 1 having the above-describedconfiguration in connecting the semiconductor device 3 to the hostapparatus 2 will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 isa flowchart illustrating an operation of the semiconductor system. Firstan entire flow will roughly be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , interface selection is performed (Step S10).In Step S10, the host apparatus 2 determines whether an interfaceconnected to the semiconductor device 3 can be used, that is, whetherthe semiconductor device 3 is connected. When the interface can be used,that is, when the semiconductor device 3 is connected (YES in Step S11),one of the electronic devices 4 transmits a boot code to the hostapparatus 2 (Step S12). The host apparatus 2 that receives the boot codeperforms the boot code and performs numbering of the electronic devices4 (enumeration) (Step S13). That is, the device ID described above isallocated to each electronic device 4.

After the allocation of the device ID, each electronic device 4 isinitialized in response to the command from the host apparatus 2 (StepS14). Each electronic device 4 becomes a ready state by theinitialization. The initialization is performed in units of a pluralityof the electronic devices 4 in order to shorten a time necessary for theinitialization. However, when the host apparatus 2 has a restriction toa power supply current that can be supplied to the electronic device 4,the number of simultaneously-initialized devices is restricted, and thusthe initialization is separately performed.

Then, the host apparatus 2 obtains information on each electronic device4 (Step S15). After Step S15, the host apparatus 2 determines anoperating condition common to the electronic devices 4 based on thecapabilities of the host apparatus 2 and electronic device 4, and thehost apparatus 2 collectively sets the operating condition for the hostapparatus 2 and the electronic devices 4 (Step S16). The capability setin this step is an item common to the whole system. Then the hostapparatus 2 determines an individual operating condition of theelectronic device 4, and the host apparatus 2 separately sets theindividual operating condition for the electronic device 4 (Step S17).

A UHS-II card has a hierarchical structure. Therefore, when thesemiconductor device 3 is the UHS-II card, the initialization isperformed to a physical layer in Step S14. For example, theinitialization is performed to a layer higher than the physical layer inStep S16 and Step S17B.

Each step will sequentially be described in detail.

Step S10

Step S10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 . FIG. 3is a timing chart illustrating a clock and a symbol, transmitted fromthe host apparatus 2 to the semiconductor device 3 and a level and asymbol (the state is communicated in synchronization with the clock inthe symbol, and the symbol includes plural bits and is encoded by 8b/10bcoding), transmitted from the semiconductor device 3 to the hostapparatus 2, immediately after the semiconductor device 3 is connectedto the host apparatus 2. FIG. 4 is a timing chart of the signals D0 andD1 immediately after the semiconductor device 3 is connected to the hostapparatus 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , before a time t1, thesemiconductor system 1 is in a power-down state. In the power-downstate, the host apparatus 2 does not generate the clock, and the hostapparatus 2 does not transmit the symbol to the semiconductor device 3.The semiconductor device 3 does not transmit the symbol to thesemiconductor device 3. Accordingly, either a level D0+=D0−=D1+=D1−=“H”or a level D0+=D0−=D1+=D1−=“L” can be taken before the time t1. FIG. 4illustrates the level D0+=D0−=D1+=D1−=“L”.

Then, at the time t1, the host apparatus 2 transmits STB to thesemiconductor device 3 using one of an “H” level or an “L” level of thedifferential signal in order to determine usability of the interface. Atthis point, it is assumed that the “H” level is STB. Therefore, a datalink state transitions to a wakeup state. The host apparatus 2 outputs aclock RCLK to the semiconductor device 3. The clock RCLK is supplied toeach of the electronic devices 4-0 to 4-n. Hereinafter the electronicdevice 4 performs the operation in synchronization with the clock RCLK.The level STB is sequentially transferred from the electronic device 4-0to the electronic device 4-N. At a time t2, the electronic device 4 thatreceives the level STB returns the level STB to the host apparatus 2.The level STB is a signal that indicates that the host apparatus 2 andthe electronic device 4 are in a standby state before synchronized witheach other.

The host apparatus 2 transmits the level STB, whereby the D0− changesfrom the “L” level to the “H” level while the signal D0 changes to thedifferential level. The semiconductor device 3 transmits the level STB,whereby the D1− changes from the “L” level to the “H” level while thesignal D0 changes to the differential level. Thus, the host apparatus 2recognizes that the interface can be used by detecting that the signalsD0 and D1 change to the differential level.

Then processing is performed in order to synchronize the host apparatus2 and the semiconductor device 3 with each other. That is, the hostapparatus 2 transmits a symbol SYN to the semiconductor device 3, andthe semiconductor device 3 returns the symbol SYN to the host apparatus2 when a PLL is locked. When the PLL is locked with respect to all thesemiconductor devices 3, the host apparatus 2 receives the symbol SYN.Because the reception clock of the host apparatus 2 differs from thetransmission clock RCLK in a phase, it is necessary to lock another PLLfor the reception. The symbol SYN is one that is used forsynchronization. The PLL is locked while the symbol SYN is receivedplural times, which allows synchronous communication to be conductedbetween the host apparatus 2 and the semiconductor device 3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the host apparatus 2 and any one of theelectronic devices 4, particularly illustrates a configuration relatingto data link. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the host apparatus 2 includestransmission I/Os 20-1 and 20-2 that transmit the signals D0+ and D0−,reception I/Os 21-1 and 21-2 that receive the differential signals D1+and D1−, and a voltage level detection circuit 22. The voltage leveldetection circuit 22 detects a level change of the differential signalD1+ and D1−. A determination that the interface with the electronicdevice 4 can be used is made when the voltage level detection circuit 22detects the change in signal level.

The electronic device 4 includes transmission I/Os 23-1 and 23-2 thattransmit the differential signals D1+ and D1−, reception I/O 24-1 and24-2 that receive the differential signals D0+ and D0−, and a voltagelevel detection circuit 25. The voltage level detection circuit 25detects a level change of the differential signal D0+ and D0−. Forexample, when the host apparatus 2 is started up from the electronicdevice 4, the voltage level detection circuit 25 detects the change insignal level, which allows the host apparatus 2 to be started up.

Step S12

Step S12 of FIG. 2 will be described below. In the semiconductor device3, any one of the electronic devices 4 is a memory device that retainsthe boot code. At this point, only by way of example, it is assumed thatthe electronic device 4-N is the memory device that retains the bootcode. The boot code means a program code that is necessary to start upthe system in the host apparatus 2. The boot code is transferred to asystem memory of the host apparatus 2, and the boot code is executed bythe host apparatus 2. A device driver and an OS (Operating System) areloaded on the system memory by a boot loader included in the boot code.

The electronic device 4-N receives the symbol STB from the hostapparatus 2 and returns the symbol STB to the host apparatus 2. Then,the electronic device 4-N voluntarily reads the boot code withoutreceiving the command from the host apparatus 2, and the electronicdevice 4-N transmits the boot code to the host apparatus 2.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electronic device 4-N, and FIG. 6illustrates the detailed configuration of the electronic device 4-Nrather than that of FIG. 1 . As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the electronicdevice 4-N includes a memory controller 30 and a NAND type flash memory31. The memory controller 30 includes a packet decoder 7-N, a processingunit 8-N, register 9-N, and a packet update circuit 10-N. The NAND typeflash memory 31 retains a boot code 32. After transmitting the level STBto the host apparatus 2, the processing unit 8-N reads the boot code 32from the NAND type flash memory 31. The processing unit 8-N assemblesthe boot code 32 as the packet and transmits the packet from the outputsignal pin 6 to the host apparatus 2.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of thepacket. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the packet 33 includes a packetheader 34 and a payload 35. The payload 35 includes the boot code 32that is read from the NAND type flash memory 31. The packet header 34includes a destination of the packet. The destination is indicated as anID, and ID=“0” is stored when the destination is host apparatus 2.Although a device ID of a boot device is not determined yet when theboot code is transmitted before the enumeration, for example, deviceID=1 of the transmission source is tentatively allocated to the deviceID of the boot device. A size of the boot code may be set as a presetvalue to the host and the boot device, or a region indicating the sizeof the boot code may be secured in the packet header or a specificportion of the boot code.

The electronic device except the electronic device 4-N may be used asthe electronic device including the boot code. For example, theelectronic device 4-(N−1) may be used as the electronic device includingthe boot code. In this case, at first the electronic device 4-(N−1)transmits the packet 33 to the electronic device 4-N. Because thedestination of the packet 33 is the host apparatus 2, the electronicdevice 4-N transmits the packet 33 to the host apparatus 2 withoutchange.

Step S13

Step S13 of FIG. 2 will be described below. In Step S13, the hostapparatus 2 provides the device IDs to the electronic devices 4-0 to 4-Nincluded in the semiconductor device 3. For example, a method disclosedin Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-221468 can be adopted in StepS13. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the packet issued by the hostapparatus 2 in performing Step S13.

As illustrated in FIG. 8 , a packet header of a packet 40 includes atleast fields 41-1 and 41-2. The device ID that indicates the destinationof the packet 40 is stored in the field 41-1. A command identifiercorresponding to a command to provide the device ID is stored in thefield 41-2. A payload includes at least fields 42-1 and 42-2. The field42-1 indicates a start device ID (start device number), and a value ofthe field 42-1 is determined by the electronic device 4-1 that initiallyreceives the packet 40 from the host apparatus 2. The number ofelectronic devices 4 to which the setting of the device ID is completedis stored in the field 42-2. The value of the field 42-1 is incrementedin a process of transferring the packet among the electronic devices 4,which allows the host apparatus 2 to recognize the total number ofelectronic devices 4. The host apparatus 2 can specify the device ID ofeach electronic device 4 from the values of the fields 42-1 and 42-2. Afinal device ID (final device number) may be indicated in the field 42-2instead of the number of electronic devices 4 to which the setting ofthe device ID is completed, because the number of devices can becomputed by subtraction when the final device number and the initialdevice number are found.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the host apparatus 2in providing the device ID. As illustrated in FIG. 9 , the hostapparatus 2 assembles the packet in order to specify the device ID (StepS20). That is, the command identifier (field 41-2) corresponding to thecommand (hereinafter referred to as ID providing command) to specify thedevice ID is set to the packet header, and initial values (in the firstembodiment, zero) are set to the values of the start device ID (field42-1) and the number of devices (field 42-2) of the payload.

The host apparatus 2 transmits the packet assembled in Step S20 to thesemiconductor device 3 (Step S21). Whether the packet is transmitted inthe form of the broadcast (multicast) or unicast is previously made ineach command. The ID providing command is a broadcast command.Accordingly, the destination in the field 41-1 of the packet header isignored, and the packet is transmitted to the initial electronic device4-1 of the ring connection in the case of the connection relationship inFIG. 1 .

Then the host apparatus 2 receives the packet from the final electronicdevice 4-N of the ring connection (Step S22). Therefore, the hostapparatus 2 reads the initial device ID (field 42-1) and the number ofdevices (field 42-2) in the received packet (Step S23). The value of thefield 42-1 is the device ID of the initial electronic device 4-1 of thering connection, and the value of the field 42-2 is the number N ofring-connected electronic devices 4-1 to 4-N.

The host apparatus 2 performs predetermined calculation using the valuesof the fields 42-1 and 42-2 to recognize the device ID and the totalnumber of devices of the electronic devices 4-2 to 4-N (Step S24). Thenumber of identifiable devices is determined by the number of bits ofthe device ID field. The predetermined calculation means a rule in whichthe electronic devices 4-2 to 4-N compute the IDs thereof with respectto the start device ID. For example, predetermined calculation meansthat the increment is performed by the number of devices. Accordingly,for example, the start device ID has a value “n (n is a natural number)”in the packet received from the electronic device 4-N, it is found thatthe electronic device 4-1 has the device ID “n”, the electronic device4-2 has the device ID “n+1”, and the electronic device 4-N has thedevice ID “n+N”.

The host apparatus 2 manages the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-3 using thedevice IDs obtained in Step S24.

An operation of the electronic device 4 will be described below withreference to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operationof the electronic device 4 in receiving the packet including the IDproviding command, and the flowchart of FIG. 10 is common to theelectronic devices 4-1 to 4-N.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the electronic device 4 receives the packetat the input signal pin 5 (Step S30). When recognizing that the receivedpacket includes the ID providing command from the command number of thefield 41-2 of the packet, the packet decoder 7 commands the processingunit 8 to compute the device ID thereof.

In response to the command, the processing unit 8 confirms whether thevalue (start device ID) of the field 42-1 of the received packet is apredetermined value (in the first embodiment, zero) set by the hostapparatus 2 (Step S31). When the value of the field 42-1 is zero (YES inStep S32), the processing unit 8 determines any number except zero asthe device ID thereof, and the processing unit 8 commands the packetupdate circuit 10 to update the value (start device ID) of the field42-1 to the determined device ID. Therefore, the packet update circuit10 updates the field 42-1. The reason for using the number other thanzero is that zero has been already allocated to the device ID of thehost apparatus 2.

On the other hand, when the value of the field 42-1 is not thepredetermined value set by the host apparatus 2 (NO in Step S32), thevalue of the field 42-1 is maintained (Step S34). That is, theprocessing unit 8 does not command the packet update circuit 10 toupdate the value of the field 42-1. The processing unit 8 performs thepredetermined calculation using the field 42-1 to compute the device IDthereof (Step S35). The calculation in Step S35 is identical to thecalculation in Step S24 of FIG. 9 . For example, the calculation in StepS35 means that the field 42-1 (start device ID) is incremented by thenumber of times corresponding to the field 42-2 (the number of devices).

Then the processing unit 8 stores the device ID thereof determined inStep S33 or S35 in the register 9 (Step S36).

In response to the command from the packet decoder 7 or processing unit8, the packet update circuit 10 updates (increments) the value of thefield 42-2 of the received packet. The packet update circuit 10 outputsthe packet in which the field 42-2 or both the fields 42-1 and 42-2 areupdated.

A specific example in Step S13 will be described with reference to FIG.11 . FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the semiconductor system 1, and FIG.11 illustrates the case in which the 15 (N=15) electronic devices 4 areprovided in the semiconductor device 3 by way of example. In FIG. 11 ,square marks added to a side of an arrow between the devices indicatepayload contents of the packet, the left side of the square marksindicates the field 42-1 (start device ID), and the right side indicatesthe field 42-2 (the number of devices).

As illustrated in FIG. 11 , at first the packet including the IDproviding command is broadcasted from the host apparatus 2. At thispoint, the values of the fields 42-1 and 42-2 of the packet are thepredetermined value (zero) set by the host apparatus 2 (Steps S20 andS21 of FIG. 9 ). The packet is initially received by the electronicdevice 4-1.

In the electronic device 4-1, because the field 42-1 has the value “0”(YES in Step S32 of FIG. 10 ), any number is determined as the device IDof the device 4-1. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11 , the device IDis the number “1”. The field 42-1 is updated from “0” to “1” (Step S33of FIG. 10 ), the value of the field 42-2 is incremented and updatedfrom “0” to “1” (Step S37 of FIG. 10 ), and the updated value of thefield 42-2 is output by the device 4-1.

The packet output from the electronic device 4-1 is received by theelectronic device 4-2. In the electronic device 4-2, because the field42-1 does not have the value “0” (NO in Step S32 of FIG. 10 ), thedevice ID of the device 4-2 is computed by the predetermined calculationmethod (Step S35 of FIG. 10 ). That is, the value of the field 42-1 isincremented by the value of the field 42-2 to determine the device ID ofthe electronic device 4-2 as “1”+“1”=“2”. While the value of the field42-1 is maintained (Step S34 of FIG. 10 ), the value of the field 42-2is incremented and updated from “1” to “2” (Step S37 of FIG. 10 ), andthe updated value of the field 42-2 is output by the device 4-2.

Similarly, the device ID is allocated to the electronic device 4. Thatis, the device IDs “3” to “15” are allocated to the electronic devices4-3 to 4-15.

The packet output from the electronic device 4-15 is received by thehost apparatus 2. In the packet, the field 42-1 has the value “1” andthe field 42-2 has the value “15”. Accordingly, the host apparatus canrecognize that the electronic device 4-1 has the device ID “1” and thetotal number of electronic devices 4 is “15” (Step S23 of FIG. 9 ).Therefore, the host apparatus 2 understands that the electronic devices4-1 to 4-15 have the device IDs “1” to “15”, respectively.

Step S14

Step S14 of FIG. 2 will be described below. In Step S14, the hostapparatus 2 initializes the electronic devices 4-0 to 4-N included inthe semiconductor device 3. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a packetissued by the host apparatus 2 in performing the initialization.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , a command identifier indicating aninitialization command is included in a packet header 51 of a packet 50,and the maximum number of electronic devices M that can be initializedonce by the host apparatus 2 is included in a payload 52. Theinitialization command is issued as the broadcast command. Whether theinitialization command is the broadcast command may be determined by thecommand identifier. Alternatively, the broadcast command may be definedby setting transmission source ID=transmission destination ID=“0”. Thismeans that the host apparatus 2 transmits the packet and the hostapparatus 2 finally receives the packet.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the electronicdevice 4 in receiving the packet including the initialization command,and the flowchart of FIG. 13 is common to the electronic devices 4-1 to4-N.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , the electronic device 4 receives the packetat the input signal pin 5 (Step S40). When recognizing that the receivedpacket includes the initialization command from the command identifierof the packet header 51 of the packet, the packet decoder 7 notifies theprocessing unit 8 of the initialization command included in the packetand the number of electronic devices M of the payload 52. The processingunit 8 determines whether the electronic device 4 is currentlyinitializing. When the electronic device 4 is currently executing theinitialization (YES in Step S41), the processing unit 8 waits for theinitialization completion (Step S42). After the initializationcompletion, the processing unit 8 does not perform the initializationagain (Step S43), the processing unit 8 causes the packet update circuit10 to transmit the received packet to the next electronic device 4 (inthe case of the electronic device 4-N, to the host apparatus 2) with nochange (Step S44).

When the electronic device 4 is not currently being initialized, theprocessing unit 8 determines whether the electronic device 4 has beenalready initialized. When the electronic device 4 has been alreadyinitialized (YES in Step S45), the processing unit 8 does not performthe initialization again (Step S43). The processing unit 8 causes thepacket update circuit 10 to transmit the received packet to the nextelectronic device 4 (in the case of the electronic device 4-N, to thehost apparatus 2) with no change (Step S44).

On the other hand, when the electronic device 4 is not initialized (NOin Step S45), the processing unit 8 confirms whether the number ofelectronic devices M of the payload 52 is “0” (Step S46). When thenumber of electronic devices M is “0” (YES in Step S46), the processingunit 8 goes to Step S43, and the processing unit 8 goes to Step S44without performing the initialization.

When the number of electronic devices M is not “0” (NO in Step S46), theprocessing unit 8 performs the initialization (Step S47). The processingunit 8 commands the packet update circuit 10 to decrement the number ofelectronic devices of the payload 52 (Step S48). That is, the number ofelectronic devices M is updated to M−1. The packet update circuit 10outputs the packet in which the number of electronic devices M of thepayload 52 is updated (Step S44). At this point, in response to thestart of the initialization in Step S47, the packet update circuit 10executes the processing in Step S44 without waiting for theinitialization completion of the electronic device 4.

The host apparatus 2 repeatedly issues the initialization packet 50until the host apparatus 2 receives the initialization packet 50 inwhich the number of electronic devices M is not “0”. The number ofdevices that can be initialized is reset at the same time as theinitialization packet 50 is issued. In other words, the host apparatus 2can confirm that the initialization is completed for all the electronicdevices 4-1 to 4-N by receiving the packet 50 of M≠“0”.

The confirmation whether the initialization is completed for all theelectronic devices 4 can be made by transmitting an initializationcompletion confirming command. An operation of the electronic device 4in receiving the initialization completion confirming command will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 14 . FIG. 14 is a flowchartillustrating the operation of the electronic device 4 in receiving thepacket including the initialization completion confirming command, andthe flowchart of FIG. 14 is common to the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-N.

As illustrated in FIG. 14 , the electronic device 4 receives the packetat the input signal pin 5 (Step S50). When recognizing that the packetincludes the initialization completion confirming command from thecommand identifier of the packet header of the received packet, thepacket decoder 7 notifies the processing unit 8 that the packet includesthe initialization completion confirming command The processing unit 8determines whether the electronic device 4 is currently beinginitialized. When the electronic device 4 is currently being initialized(YES in Step S51), the processing unit 8 waits for the initializationcompletion (Step S52). After the initialization completion, theprocessing unit 8 causes the packet update circuit 10 to transmit thereceived packet to the next electronic device 4 (in the case of theelectronic device 4-N, to the host apparatus 2) without change (StepS54).

When the electronic device 4 is not currently being initialized, theprocessing unit 8 determines whether the electronic device 4 has beenalready initialized. When the electronic device 4 has been alreadyinitialized (YES in Step S53), the processing unit 8 commands the packetupdate circuit 10 to transmit the received packet to the next electronicdevice 4 (in the case of the electronic device 4-N, to the hostapparatus 2) without change (Step S54). Therefore, the packet istransferred to the next electronic device 4. On the other hand, when theelectronic device 4 is not initialized yet (NO in Step S53), theprocessing unit 8 does not transmit the packet to the next electronicdevice 4. That is, the packet stays in the electronic device 4.

Thus, the initialization is executed in each M of the electronicdevices. In other words, the N electronic devices are divided intoL=(N/M) groups, and the initialization is collectively performed to theelectronic devices belonging to each group (Steps S14-1 to S14-L of FIG.2 ).

A specific example of Step S14 will be described with reference to FIG.15 to FIG. 18 . FIG. 15 to FIG. 18 are block diagrams of thesemiconductor system 1, and FIG. 15 to FIG. 18 illustrate the case inwhich the semiconductor system 1 includes 15 (N=15) electronic devices 4similarly to the case of FIG. 11 . In FIG. 15 to FIG. 18 , square marksadded to the side of the arrow between the devices indicate the payloadof the packet 50, that is, the number of electronic devices M. Similarlyto the case of FIG. 11 , it is assumed that the device ID is provided toeach electronic device 4.

FIG. 15 illustrates the state in which the initialization is notperformed yet to any electronic devices 4 while the initializationcommand is issued. As illustrated in FIG. 15 , it is assumed that thehost apparatus 2 issues the packet while the number of electronicdevices M is set to “4”. That is, the host apparatus 2 can initializeonce up to four electronic devices.

As illustrated in FIG. 15 , the packet (M=“4”) including theinitialization command is received by the electronic device 4-1. Theelectronic device 4-1 is not initialized yet (NO in Step S45), and thenumber of electronic devices M is “4” (NO in Step S46). Therefore, theprocessing unit 8 performs the initialization (Step S47), the processingunit 8 updates the number of electronic devices M to M−1=“3” (Step S48),and the processing unit 8 transmits the packet to the next electronicdevice 4-2. In FIG. 15 , “−1” added to the electronic device 4 meansthat the number of electronic devices M is decremented.

Similarly to the electronic device 4-1, the electronic device 4-2 thatreceives the packet (M=“3”) including the initialization commandperforms the initialization, and the electronic device 4-2 decrementsand updates the number of electronic devices M from “3” to “2”, andtransmits the packet to the electronic device 4-3. The electronicdevices 4-3 and 4-4 perform the similar operation.

As a result of the decrement of the number of electronic devices M bythe electronic device 4-4, the number of electronic devices M becomes“0.” Accordingly, the electronic devices 4-5 to 4-15 transfer the packetto the subsequent electronic devices 4-6 to 4-16 without performing theinitialization. The final electronic device 4-16 of the ring connectiontransmits the packet with M=“0” to the host apparatus 2.

The host apparatus 2 repeatedly issues the initialization command untilthe host apparatus 2 receives the value except the value of M=“0”.Alternatively, after issuing the initialization command specific times,the host apparatus 2 issues the initialization completion confirmingcommand in arbitrary timing to transmit the packet including theinitialization completion confirming command to the semiconductor device3. FIG. 16 illustrates the state in which the initialization completionconfirming command is issued after the state in FIG. 15 .

The packet including the initialization completion confirming command isreceived by the electronic device 4-1 (Step S50). Because the electronicdevice 4-1 has been already initialized (YES in Step S53), theelectronic device 4-1 transfers the packet to the next electronic device4-2 (Step S54). At this point, because the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4are initialized, the packet reaches the electronic device 4-5. However,the electronic device 4-5 is not initialized yet, the packet stays inthe electronic device 4-5 but the packet is not returned to the hostapparatus 2. Therefore, the host apparatus 2 can recognize the existenceof the electronic device 4 whose initialization is not completed.

Accordingly, the host apparatus 2 re-issues the packet including theinitialization command to transmit the packet to the semiconductordevice 3. FIG. 17 illustrates this state. As illustrated in FIG. 17 ,because the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4 have been already initialized(YES in Step S41), the packet reaches the electronic device 4-5 withoutchange. The electronic devices 4-5 to 4-8 are initialized in the mannersimilar to that of FIG. 15 . The packet including the initializationcompletion confirming command reaches the electronic device 4-9.

Then the host apparatus 2 issues the packet including the initializationcommand twice, thereby initializing all the electronic devices 4. FIG.18 illustrates this state. When all the electronic devices 4 areinitialized, the packet including the initialization completionconfirming command is transmitted from the electronic device 4-16 to thehost apparatus 2 (a bold-line arrow in FIG. 18 indicates a flow of thepacket including the initialization completion confirming command).Therefore, the host apparatus 2 recognizes that all the electronicdevices 4-1 to 4-16 are initialized. Obviously, even if theinitialization completion confirming command is not issued, the hostapparatus 2 receives the packet 50 of M=“1” (M≠“0”) from the electronicdevice 4-15 at the time of FIG. 18 , whereby the host apparatus 2 canrecognize that all the electronic devices 4 are initialized.

The above initialization technique initializes the electronic devices bygrouping the electronic devices to shorten the initialization for theplural electronic device, and to enable the initialization within apower supply current supported by the host. The method may beimplemented by defining an upper limit of an initialization currentnecessary for each electronic device. However, it is considered thatsometimes the current necessary for the initialization depends on theelectronic device. For example, it is considered that the initializationcan be performed in a halftime when the current necessary for theinitialization becomes double. In an embedded system environment,sometimes the initialization time can further be shortened by previouslydesignating the optimum initialization group in each electronic device.The further shortened initialization time can be realized by setting agroup number to each electronic device. The group number indicates thatthe initialization is performed to the electronic device in which timesof initialization command. When the group number is set, the number ofdevices that can be initialized in the initialization command isignored, each electronic device counts the number of receivedinitialization commands, and each electronic device starts theinitialization when the number of received initialization commands ismatched with the group number. When the initialization is currentlybeing performed, the electronic device waits for the initializationcompletion to output the initialization command. The host system canselect the optimum initialization procedure according to the feature ofthe electronic device. This point is described in detail in a secondembodiment.

Step S15

Step S15 of FIG. 2 will be described below. In order to set a conditionthat all the electronic devices can be operated, the host apparatus 2issues a command to read the setting value by broadcast. Parameters suchas a maximum clock frequency range, time-out value, and various symbollengths are indicated as an argument of the command, each electronicdevice does not update the argument that can be dealt therewith, and theelectronic device updates the argument that cannot be dealt therewith tothe parameter that can be dealt therewith. The parameter received by thehost apparatus 2 includes the condition that all the electronic devicescan be operated.

Step S16

Step S16 of FIG. 2 will be described below. Because the host apparatus 2determines the operating condition common to the electronic devices 4 inStep S15, the same value is set to all the electronic devices 4 by acommand to write the setting value by broadcast (the value is set to theregister 9 of each electronic device 4).

This point will be described by taking a specific example. FIG. 19 is atable illustrating the information read in Step S15, and FIG. 19illustrates a maximum operating frequency and operation timing in thecase of the 15 electronic devices by way of example.

As illustrated in FIG. 19 , it is assumed that the electronic devices4-1 to 4-15 have the maximum operating frequencies f0 to f15,respectively, while the host apparatus has the maximum operatingfrequency f0. It is assumed that the lowest frequency is the maximumoperating frequency f3 of the electronic device 4-3. From theinformation of FIG. 19 , the host apparatus 2 can recognize that all theelectronic devices 4-1 to 4-15 and the host apparatus 2 can be operatedat the frequency f3.

It is assumed that the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-15 have operationtimings T1 to T15, respectively, while the host apparatus 2 hasoperation timing T0. It is assumed that the worst timing is theoperation timing T1 of the electronic device 4-1. From the informationof FIG. 19 the host apparatus 2 can recognize that all the electronicdevices 4-1 to 4-15 and the host apparatus 2 can be operated inoperation timing T1.

As a result of referring to the capabilities, the host apparatus 2determines the operating frequencies of the electronic devices 4-1 to4-15 as the operating frequency f3 and determines the operation timingsof the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-15 as the operation timing T1. Thehost apparatus 2 writes the operating frequency f3 and operation timingT1 as the operating conditions in the register 9 of each electronicdevice 4. FIG. 20 illustrates a packet 60 that is issued by the hostapparatus 2 at this point.

As illustrated in FIG. 20 , in the packet 60, a command identifiercorresponding to the register write command is stored in a packet header61, and the operating frequency f3 and the operation timing T1 arestored in a payload 62. The operating frequency f3 and the operationtiming T1 are sequentially written in the register of each electronicdevice 4 by transmitting the packet 60 (Steps S16-1 to S16-N). Thepacket 60 may be transmitted by the broadcast, unicast, or multicast.

The configuration set in Step S16 may include a length of a specificsymbol, a kind of the packet supported, power control mode, and thenumber of retry times in addition to the maximum operating frequency andthe operation timing.

Step S17

Step S17 of FIG. 2 will be described below. The operating conditionscommon to all the electronic devices 4 are determined in the sequencesin Steps S15 and S16. Sometimes a transfer block size and the likedepend on an individual I/O device. Accordingly, the host apparatus 2reads the capability of the electronic devices 4 using the unicastcommand when the electronic device 4 has the parameter that shouldindividually be set (Steps S17A-1, S17A-1, . . . , and S17A-N of FIG. 2), the host apparatus 2 determines the optimum value satisfying both thecapability of the host apparatus 2 and the capability of the electronicdevice 4, and the host apparatus 2 sets the optimum value to theelectronic device 4 using the unicast command (Steps S17B-1, S17B-1, . .. , and S17B-N of FIG. 2 ).

Examples of the parameter include a size of a buffer used in the datatransfer and data transfer timing.

Effect

As described above, the speed enhancement of the initializationoperation can be achieved in the semiconductor device of the firstembodiment.

(1) In the configuration of the first embodiment, the host apparatus 2determines the bus interface that can be connected to the electronicdevice 4 can be used by detecting the voltage level (Step S10 of FIG. 2). That is, the host apparatus 2 transmits the level STB to theelectronic device 4, and the host apparatus 2 determines that the businterface can be used when the level STB is returned from the electronicdevice 4. In other words, host apparatus 2 determines that the businterface can be used by detecting that the signal D1 changes from thein-phase level to the differential level after the signal D0 changesfrom the in-phase level to the differential level.

The same holds true for the electronic device 4. When the host apparatus2 transmits the level STB to the electronic device 4, the electronicdevice 4 detects that the signal D0 changes from the in-phase level tothe differential level, and the electronic device 4 determines that thebus interface can be used.

Thus, the availability of the bus interface can be determined at highspeed by detecting the voltage levels of the signals D0 and D1. When thebus interface can be used, the host apparatus 2 transmits the symbolSYN, whereby each electronic device 4 synchronizes the internal clockusing the input symbol SYN. The electronic device 4 continuously outputthe level STB during the clock synchronization by the internal PLL, andthe electronic device 4 outputs the symbol SYN in synchronization withthe clock when the clock synchronization is completed. When receivingthe symbol SYN, the host apparatus 2 recognizes that the synchronizationis completed for all the electronic devices 4.

The host apparatus 2 transmits a symbol IDLE after receiving the symbolSYN (time t4 of FIG. 3 ). The symbol IDLE is a symbol indicating thatthe host apparatus 2 is in an idle state.

(2) In the configuration of the first embodiment, when receiving thesymbol IDLE, the electronic device 4 that retains the boot codevoluntarily transmits the boot code to the host apparatus 2 withoutwaiting for the command from the host apparatus 2 (Step S12 of FIG. 2 ).

Plural command procedures are required when the host apparatus 2 issuesthe command. Therefore, it takes a relatively long time to read the bootcode. In the system that does not include the boot device, it isnecessary to implement a dedicated boot ROM in order to read the programstarting up the system from the memory device.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, because the host controllerdirectly loads the boot code from the boot device onto the systemmemory, it is not necessary that the host apparatus 2 generate thecommand, and the boot ROM is omitted, which allows the achievement ofcost reduction. Accordingly, in the host apparatus 2, the system isquickly started up, and the speed enhancement of the initialization canbe achieved in the electronic device 4.

(3) In the configuration of the first embodiment, during the allocationof the device ID, the host apparatus 2 broadcasts the packet in order tomake the request of the device ID of each electronic device 4 (Step S13of FIG. 2 ). The packet is transferred among the electronic devices 4 inthe order of connection while the device ID is issued in each electronicdevice 4. The device ID in the packet is updated every time the packetpasses through the electronic device 4, and the updated value becomesthe device ID of each electronic device 4. Accordingly, the device IDsdo not overlap each other. Therefore, it is not necessary that the hostapparatus 2 confirm the presence or absence of the overlap between thedevice IDs, so that the initialization operation can be simplified.

(4) In the configuration of the first embodiment, the initialization isperformed using the broadcast command similarly to the allocation of thedevice ID (Step S14). Accordingly, the speed enhancement of theinitialization can be achieved.

Usually it maximally takes about one second to perform theinitialization. Accordingly, in the system that includes pluralelectronic devices, it takes a long time for the user to wait for theinitialization completion by the method for issuing the command in eachelectronic device.

However, when the broadcast command is used, the number of commandsissued by the host apparatus 2 can be decreased to simplify theinitialization sequence. The plural electronic devices aresimultaneously initialized by one command, which allows the shorteningof the initialization time.

The host apparatus 2 determines the number of electronic devices 4 thatare simultaneously initialized. Usually the current of 100 mA ismaximally required to initialize one electronic device 4. However, thereis a restriction to current supply ability of the host apparatus.Therefore, the host apparatus 2 stores the number of electronic devicesthat can be initialized in the packet including the initializationcommand, and the host apparatus 2 simultaneously initializes theelectronic devices as many as the number of electronic devices stored inthe packet. The electronic devices 4 are sequentially initialized in thenumerical unit, which allows the initialization to be performed in ashort time within the current supply ability of the host apparatus 2.

The method in which the group number is used can be adopted to furtherimprove the initialization speed. In the above example method, althoughthe initialization current is restricted up to 100 mA, sometimes theinitialization time can be shortened when the larger current is passed.In such cases, the electronic devices to be initialized are divided intogroups to which the current can be supplied by the host system, thegroup number is previously written in the electronic device, the numberof issued initialization command is counted, and the electronic devicestarts the initialization when the count value is matched with the groupnumber. Therefore, the host system can more efficiently customize theinitialization.

(5) In the configuration of the first embodiment, the common operatingconditions satisfying both the host apparatus 2 and the electronicdevice 4 are determined based on the capabilities of the host apparatus2 and electronic device 4 (Steps S15 and S16 of FIG. 2 ).

For example, in the conventional system, the maximum operating frequencyis determined by specifications of the bus. When the bus frequency isextremely increased, the bus frequency is hardly supported on theelectronic device side or the host apparatus side. Only the speedenhancement of the bus means very little for the memory device, and thedata transfer rate should be determined according to write or readability of the memory device. For example, because the ability of thememory device is restricted by memory ability, disadvantageously powerconsumption is increased even if the bus operating frequency isincreased to enhance the bus interface speed.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the common operatingconditions satisfying both the host apparatus 2 and the electronicdevice 4 are determined by referring to the capabilities of the hostapparatus 2 and electronic device 4. Therefore, the optimum operatingcondition can be set to at least part of the operating ability, and theoperating ability of the semiconductor system 1 can be improved. Theoperating condition is transmitted to the plural electronic devices 4using the broadcast command, so that the speed enhancement of theinitialization can be archived compared with the case in which theoperating condition is determined in each electronic device 4.

(6) In the configuration of the first embodiment, the operatingcondition of the electronic device 4 is individually determined (StepS17 of FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, the electronic device 4 can sufficientlyexert the operating ability. That is, while the operating conditionsthat should be communalized are determined in Step S15 and S16, thepoint that is not necessary to be communalized is determined in StepS17. The operating conditions are individually determined, which allowseach electronic device 4 to exert the excellent operating abilityindependently of the abilities of other electronic devices 4.

Second Embodiment

A semiconductor system and an electronic device initializing methodaccording to a second embodiment will be described below. In the secondembodiment, the processing in Step S14 of the first embodiment isperformed by another method. Because other configurations of the secondembodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, the descriptionis omitted.

First Example

A first example will be described as another method for performing theprocessing in Step S14. In a host apparatus 2 of the first example,electronic devices 4-1 to 4-N are previously classified into groups. Thegroup number is provided to each group, and the group number is writtenin a register 9 of the electronic device 4. For example, the operationmay be performed in Step S14 or Step S13, or the operation maypreviously be performed during production.

The number of power units M that can be used to initialize theelectronic device 4 by the host apparatus 2 is used instead of themaximum number of electronic devices M that can be initialized at onetime. The number of power units M is a value that expresses power(electric power) that can be used for the initialization in a certainunit, and the host apparatus 2 consumes the predetermined number ofpower units when each electronic device 4 is initialized.

An initialization completion flag CF (Completion Flag) is also used inaddition to the group and the number of power units M. Theinitialization completion flag CF is set to “1” when the initializationis completed for all the electronic devices 4, and, otherwise, theinitialization completion flag CF is set to a value except “1” (forexample, “0”).

(Packet including Initialization Command)

In Step S14, the host apparatus 2 produces a packet 70 illustrated inFIG. 21 to transmit the packet 70 to a semiconductor device 3. Asillustrated in FIG. 21 , the command identifier indicating theinitialization command is included in a packet header 71 of the packet70, and a group number CC, the number of power units M, and theinitialization completion flag CF are included as an argument in apayload. The packet 70 is issued as the broadcast command.

(Operation of Electronic Device 4)

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the electronicdevice 4 in receiving the packet 70, and the flowchart of FIG. 22 iscommon to the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-N. As illustrated in FIG. 22 ,the electronic device 4 receives the packet 70 at an input signal pin 5(Step S50). When recognizing that the packet includes the initializationcommand from the command identifier of the packet header 71 of thereceived packet 70, a packet decoder 7 notifies a processing unit 8 thatthe packet includes the initialization completion confirming command,and the packet decoder 7 also notifies the processing unit 8 of thegroup number CC, the number of power units M, and the initializationcompletion flag CF in the payload. The processing unit 8 determineswhether the electronic device 4 is currently being initialized (StepS51). When the electronic device 4 is currently being initialized (YESin Step S51), the processing unit 8 waits for the initializationcompletion (Step S52). The processing unit 8 does not perform theinitialization (Step S53), and the processing unit 8 transmits thepacket 70 to the next electronic device 4 (in the case of the electronicdevice 4-N, host apparatus 2) (Step S60). At this point, a packet updatecircuit 10 does not update the number of power units M andinitialization completion flag CF in the packet 70.

When the electronic device 4 is not currently being initialized (NO inStep S51), and when the electronic device 4 has been already initialized(YES in Step S54), the flow goes to Steps S53 and S60. At this point,the number of power units M and initialization completion flag CF arenot updated in the packet 70.

When the electronic device 4 is not currently being initialized (NO inStep S51), and when the electronic device has not been alreadyinitialized (NO in Step S54), the processing unit 8 commands the packetupdate circuit 10 to clear the initialization completion flag CF in thepayload to “0” (Step S55). When the initialization completion flag CF iscleared to “0”, the host apparatus 2 recognizes that the issuance of theinitialization command is continuously required (this point describedlater). The processing unit 8 also confirms the group number CC in thepayload (Step S56). The processing unit 8 determines whether the groupnumber CC is matched with its group number GN stored in a register 9.

When the group number CC is matched with the group number GN (YES inStep S56), the processing unit 8 compares the number of power units M inthe payload and the number of power units P consumed in initializing theelectronic device 4 (Step S57). For example, the number of power units Pfor each electronic device 4 may be written in the register 9 of eachelectronic device 4. In this case, the processing unit 8 compares thenumber of power units P in the register 9 and the number of power unitsM in the payload of the received packet. The number of power units P maybe written in the register 9 in Step S14 or Step S13, or the processingmay previously be performed during production.

The processing unit 8 determines whether (M−P) is not lower than zero,that is, whether the number of power units M is not lower than thenumber of power units P. When (M−P) is not lower than zero, that is,when the number of power units M is not lower than the number of powerunits P (YES in Step S57), the processing unit 8 commands the packetupdate circuit 10 to update the number of power units M in the payloadto (M−P) (Step S58). The value of (M−P) indicates a difference in whichthe power consumed by the electronic device 4 is subtracted from thepower that can be supplied by the host apparatus 2, and the value of(M−P) also indicates the number of power units, which is necessary forother electronic devices to perform simultaneously the initialization.The processing unit 8 starts the initialization (Step S59). After theinitialization is started, the processing unit 8 causes the packetupdate circuit 10 to transmit the packet 70 whose the number of powerunits M and completion flag are updated to the next electronic device 4(in the case of the electronic device 4-N, to the host apparatus 2)without waiting for the initialization completion (Step S60).

When the group numbers CC and GN are not matched with each other (NO inStep S56), the processing unit 8 goes to Step S60 without performing theinitialization (Step S53). That is, the packet 70 is transmitted withoutupdating the number of power units M. The processing unit 8 also goes toStep S60 without performing the initialization (Step S53), when (M−P) islower than zero, that is, when the number of power units M is lower thanthe number of power units P (NO in Step S57).

The plural numbers of power units P can be implemented in the electronicdevice 4. For example, the plural numbers of implementable power units Pare previously written in the register 9, and the pieces of processingin Steps S57 to S58 and the initialization can be performed using thenumbers of power units P. Alternatively, the electronic device 4 canselect the optimum number of power units P with respect to a power unitM indicated in the initialization command

(Operation of Host apparatus 2)

An operation of the host apparatus 2 in performing the processing inStep S14 will be described below with reference to FIG. 23 . FIG. 23 isa flowchart illustrating the operation of the host apparatus 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 23 , the host apparatus 2 sets the group numberinitial value CC to zero while setting the initialization completionflag CF to 1 (Step S70). The host apparatus 2 sets the group number CC,the initialization completion flag CF, and the number of power units Mto the argument to assemble the packet 70, and the host apparatus 2transmits the packet 70 by the broadcast command (Step S71).

Then the host apparatus 2 receives the packet 70 that passes through allthe electronic devices 4 (Step S72). The host apparatus 2 confirmswhether the initialization completion flag CF is 1 in the receivedpacket 70 (Step S73). When the initialization completion flag CF is 1(YES in Step S73), the host apparatus 2 determines that theinitialization is completed for all the electronic devices 4, and theinitialization is ended.

On the other hand, when the initialization completion flag CF is not 1(NO in Step S73), the host apparatus 2 confirms whether the number ofpower units M changes (Step S74). That is, the host apparatus 2determines whether the number of power units M included in the receivedpacket 70 differs from the value of the transmission of the packet 70.

When the number of power units M does not change (NO in Step S74), thehost apparatus 2 determines that all the electronic devices 4 belongingto the group number CC have already started the initialization or thatthe initialization is completed for all the electronic devices 4, thehost apparatus 2 increments the group number CC (Step S75), the hostapparatus 2 sets the initialization completion flag CF to 1, and thehost apparatus 2 goes to Step S71 to issue the initialization commandagain.

When the number of power units M changes (YES in Step S74), the hostapparatus 2 determines that possibly the electronic device 4 belongingto the group number does not start the initialization yet, the hostapparatus 2 sets the initialization completion flag CF to 1 whileleaving the group number CC as it is (Step S76), and the host apparatus2 goes to Step S71 to issue the initialization command again.

Thus, the host apparatus 2 can confirm whether the initialization iscompleted for all the electronic devices 4 by checking theinitialization completion flag CF of the received packet 70. In otherwords, it can be said that the initialization command to initialize theelectronic device 4 and the initialization completion confirming commandto confirm whether the initialization is completed for all theelectronic devices 4 are unified in the first example.

However, similarly to the first embodiment, a command to confirm theinitialization completion of the electronic device 4 may separately beissued. For example, the packet illustrated in FIG. 21 is used as theinitialization completion confirming command by setting the group numberCC to a predetermined value. In this case, when the electronic devicereceives the command, the electronic device that is not currently beinginitialized instantaneously outputs the command, while the electronicdevice that is currently being initialized outputs the command afterwaiting for the initialization completion. When receiving the command,the host apparatus 2 recognizes that the initialization is completed forone group. The host apparatus 2 repeatedly transmits the packet 70including the initialization command while changing the group number CCuntil all the electronic devices 4 are initialized.

The initialization command can also be issued before the device ID isallocated to the electronic device 4.

First Specific Example

A specific example of the processing in Step S14 of the first examplewill be described with reference to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 . FIG. 24 andFIG. 25 are block diagrams of the semiconductor system 1, and FIG. 24and FIG. 25 illustrate that the semiconductor system 1 includes the 15(N=15) electronic devices 4 similarly to FIG. 11 . In FIG. 24 and FIG.25 , square marks added to the side of the arrow between the electronicdevices indicate the payload 72 of the packet 70, that is, group numberCC, the number of power units M, and the initialization completion flagCF in the order from the left. In FIG. 23 , GN=i (i=0 to 3) described ineach electronic device 4 indicates the group number GN allocated to eachelectronic device 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 23 , the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4 areallocated to a 0th group (GN=0), the electronic devices 4-5 to 4-8 areallocated to a first group (GN=1), the electronic devices 4-9 to 4-12are allocated to a second group (GN=2), and the electronic devices 4-13to 4-15 are allocated to a third group (GN=3). It is assumed that 1 isthe number of power units P necessary to initialize each electronicdevice.

As illustrated in FIG. 24 , the host apparatus 2 transmits the packet 70while the initialization is not performed yet to any electronic devices4. As illustrated in FIG. 24 , the host apparatus 2 sets the groupnumber CC to zero while setting the initialization completion flag CF to1, and the host apparatus 2 issues the packet 70. It is assumed that 4is the number of power units M.

The packet 70 is received by the electronic device 4-1. The group numberGN (=0) allocated to the electronic device 4-1 is matched with the groupnumber CC (=0) in the payload of the packet 70 (YES in Step S56).Accordingly, the processing unit 8 of the electronic device 4-1 performsthe initialization (Step S59). The processing unit 8 transmits packet 70to the next electronic device 4-2. At this point, the packet updatecircuit 10 of the electronic device 4-1 updates the number of powerunits M to (M−P)=(4−3)=3 while updating the initialization completionflag CF to 0.

Because the electronic device 4-2 that receives the packet 70 isallocated to the 0th group (GN=0), similarly to the electronic device4-1, the electronic device 4-2 performs the initialization and transmitsthe packet 70 to the electronic device 4-3. The number of power units Mis updated to (M−P)=(3−1)=2. The electronic devices 4-3 and 4-4 performthe similar processing.

The electronic device 4-5 receives the packet 70 from the electronicdevice 4-4. The electronic device 4-5 is allocated to the first group(GN=1) (NO in Step S56). Accordingly, the electronic device 4-5transmits the packet 70 to the next electronic device 4-6 withoutperforming the initialization (Step S53). Similarly the electronicdevices 4-6 to 4-15 do not perform the initialization. The packet 70 isreturned from the electronic device 4-15 to the host apparatus 2.

The host apparatus 2 that receives the packet 70 from the electronicdevice 4-15 recognizes that the number of power units M of the receivedpacket 70 changes from 4 in transmission to 0 (YES in Step S74), and thehost apparatus 2 retransmits the packet 70 having CC=0 and CF=1 (StepS71). After the initialization, the electronic device 4-1 transmits thepacket 70 to the next electronic device 4-2 without changing theargument. The electronic devices 4-2 to 4-4 perform the similarprocessing.

Although the electronic device 4-5 that receives the packet 70 from theelectronic device 4-4 updates the initialization completion flag CF to 0(Step S55), because of CCGN (NO in Step S56), the electronic device 4-5does not perform the initialization (Step S53), and the electronicdevice 4-5 transmits the packet 70 to the next electronic device 4-6without updating the number of power units M. The electronic devices 4-6to 4-15 perform the similar processing. The packet 70 is returned fromthe electronic device 4-15 to the host apparatus 2.

The host apparatus 2 that receives the packet 70 from the electronicdevice 4-15 recognizes that the number of power units M of the receivedpacket 70 does not change from 4 in transmission (NO in Step S74), andthe host apparatus 2 retransmits the packet 70 having CC=CC+1=1 (StepS75) and CF=1 (Step S71). FIG. 25 illustrates this state.

As illustrated in FIG. 25 , because the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4have been already initialized, the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4transmit the packet 70 without updating the initialization completionflag CF and the number of power units M. Accordingly, the electronicdevice 4-5 receives the packet 70 having CC=1, M=4, and CF=1. Therefore,the electronic device 4-5 starts the initialization, updates theinitialization completion flag CF to 0, updates the number of powerunits M from 4 to 3, and transmits the packet 70. Similarly theelectronic devices 4-6 to 4-8 start the initialization.

Then the host apparatus 2 retransmits the packet 70 having CC=1. Afterthe initialization is completed for the electronic devices 4-5 to 4-8,the host apparatus 2 receives the packet 70 having the value of Midentical to that in the transmission. Therefore, the host apparatus 2transmits the packet 70 whose group number CC is updated. Then theelectronic devices 4-9 to 4-12 and the electronic devices 4-13 to 4-15are similarly initialized.

When the initialization of the electronic device 4-15 is completed,because the host apparatus 2 receives the packet 70 having CF=1, thehost apparatus 2 recognizes that the initialization is completed for allthe electronic devices 4-1 to 4-15, and completes the initializationoperation.

Second Specific Example

Another specific example will be described with reference to FIG. 26 toFIG. 30 . FIG. 26 to FIG. 30 are block diagrams of the semiconductorsystem 1, and FIG. 26 and FIG. 30 illustrate that the semiconductorsystem 1 includes the 4 (N=4) electronic devices 4. In FIG. 26 and FIG.30 , square marks added to the arrow between the electronic devicesindicate the payload of the packet 70, that is, group number CC, thenumber of power units M, and the initialization completion flag CF inthe order from the left. The number of power units P and the groupnumber GN of each electronic device are illustrated in FIG. 26 .

As illustrated in FIG. 26 , the host apparatus 2 transmits the packet 70while the initialization is not performed yet to any electronic devices4. As illustrated in FIG. 26 , the host apparatus 2 sets the groupnumber CC to zero while setting the initialization completion flag CF to1, and the host apparatus 2 issues the packet 70. It is assumed that 3is the number of power units M.

The electronic device 4-1 that first receives the packet updates theinitialization completion flag CF of the packet 70 from 1 to 0 (StepS55). Because of CC≠GN (NO in Step S56), the electronic device 4-1transmits the packet 70 to the electronic device 4-2 without updatingthe value of M. The electronic device 4-2 performs the similarprocessing. In the electronic device 4-3, CC=GN is obtained (YES in StepS56). Accordingly, the electronic device 4-3 starts the initializationwhile updating the value of M to (M−P)=(3−2)=1, and the electronicdevice 4-3 transmits the packet 70. Because of CC≠GN in the electronicdevice 4-4 (NO in Step S56), the electronic device 4-4 returns thepacket 70 to the host apparatus 2 without performing the initialization.

As illustrated in FIG. 27 , because the value of M of the packet that isreceived by the host apparatus 2 in FIG. 26 changes from 3 intransmission to 1 (YES in Step S74), the host apparatus 2 retransmitsthe packet 70 having CC=0.

The electronic device 4-1 that first receives the packet 70 updates theinitialization completion flag CF of the packet 70 from 1 to 0 (StepS55). Because of CC≠GN (NO in Step S56), the electronic device 4-1transmits the packet 70 to the electronic device 4-2 without updatingthe value of M. The electronic device 4-2 performs the similarprocessing. After the initialization is ended (Step S52), the electronicdevice 4-3 transmits the packet 70 without updating the value of M.Because of CC≠GN in the electronic device 4-4 (NO in Step S56), theelectronic device 4-4 returns the packet 70 to the host apparatus 2without performing the initialization.

As illustrated in FIG. 28 , because the value of M of the packet that isreceived by the host apparatus 2 in FIG. 27 does not change from 3 (NOin Step S74), the host apparatus 2 transmits the packet 70 havingCC=CC+1=(0+1)=1.

The electronic device 4-1 that first receives the packet 70 updates theinitialization completion flag CF of the packet 70 from 1 to 0 (StepS55). Because of CC=GN in the electronic device 4-1 (YES in Step S56),the electronic device 4-1 starts the initialization while updating thevalue of M to (M−P)=(3−3)=0, and the electronic device 4-1 transmits thepacket 70. Although CC=GN is obtained in the electronic device 4-2 (YESin Step S56), because of M<P (NO in Step S57), the electronic device 4-1transfers the packet 70 without performing the initialization. Theelectronic devices 4-3 and 4-4 do not perform the initialization.

As illustrated in FIG. 29 , because the value of M of the packet that isreceived by the host apparatus 2 in FIG. 28 changes from 3 to 0 (YES inStep S74), the host apparatus 2 retransmits the packet 70 having CC=1.

After the initialization is completed (Step S52), the electronic device4-1 that first receives the packet 70 transfers the packet 70 to theelectronic device 4-2 without updating the values of M and CF. Becauseof CC=GN in the electronic device 4-2 (YES in Step S56), the electronicdevice 4-2 starts the initialization while updating the value of CF to0, and the electronic device 4-2 updates the value of M to (M−P)=(3−1)=2to transmit the packet 70. The electronic device 4-3 directly transfersthe received packet 70 to the electronic device 4-4. Because of CC=GN inthe electronic device 4-4 (YES in Step S56), the electronic device 4-4starts the initialization while updating the value of M to(M−P)=(2−1)=1, and the electronic device 4-4 transmits the packet 70.

As illustrated in FIG. 30 , because the value of M of the packet that isreceived by the host apparatus 2 in FIG. 29 changes from 3 to 1 (YES inStep S74), the host apparatus 2 retransmits the packet 70 having CC=1.

The electronic device 4-1 that first receives the packet 70 directlytransfers the packet 70 to the electronic device 4-2 (YES in Step S54).When the initialization is completed (Step S52), the electronic device4-2 directly transfers the packet 70 to the electronic device 4-3. Theelectronic device 4-3 also directly transfers the packet 70 to theelectronic device 4-4 (YES in Step S54). When the initialization iscompleted (Step S52), the electronic device 4-4 directly transfers thepacket 70 to the host apparatus 2.

As a result, the host apparatus 2 receives the packet 70 having CF=1from the electronic device 4-4. Accordingly, the host apparatus 2completes the initialization operation.

Second Example

A second example will be described below. In the second example, thegroup number CC of the first example is removed from the packet 70. Thatis, similarly to the first embodiment, the initialization may beperformed in the order from the electronic device 4 located closer tothe host apparatus 2. In this case, the processing in Step S56 in FIG.22 is removed in the operation of the electronic device 4, and theoperation associated with the group number CC in FIG. 23 is removed inthe operation of the host apparatus 2.

For example, in FIG. 26 , because of M=P in the electronic device 4-1,the electronic device 4-1 starts the initialization. The electronicdevice 4-1 updates initialization completion flag CF to 0 while updatingthe value of M to (M−P)=0. Because of M=0, the electronic devices 4-2 to4-4 do not start the initialization.

Because the host apparatus 2 receives the packet 70 having CF=0 from theelectronic device 4-4, the host apparatus 2 retransmits the packet 70.Therefore, because of M>P in the electronic device 4-2, the electronicdevice 4-2 starts the initialization. The electronic device 4-2 updatesthe value of CF to 0 while updating the value of M to (M−P)=2. Becauseof M>P in the electronic device 4-3 that receives the updated packet,the electronic device 4-3 starts the initialization. The electronicdevice 4-3 updates the value of M to (M−P)=0. Because of M<P in theelectronic device 4-4, the initialization is not performed.

Then, when the host apparatus 2 issues the packet 70, because of M>P inthe electronic device 4-4, the electronic device 4-4 starts theinitialization. The electronic device 4-4 updates the value of CF to 0while updating the value of M to (M−P)=2.

Then, when the host apparatus 2 issues the packet 70, the host apparatus2 receives the packet 70 having CF=1 and the value of M identical tothat in the transmission after the initialization is completed for allthe electronic devices 4. Accordingly, the host apparatus 2 completesthe initialization operation.

Thus, in the example in which the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4 aresequentially initialized, because the packet 70 includes theinitialization completion flag CF, the host apparatus 2 can recognizewhether the initialization is completed by the packet 70. Obviously theinitialization completion confirming command may be used irrespective ofthe initialization command.

Third Example

A third example will be described below. In the third example, a packet90 illustrated in FIG. 31 is used in the first example. In the thirdexample, the host apparatus 2 uses the packet 90 illustrated in FIG. 31both in performing the initialization and in confirming theinitialization completion.

The packet 90 includes a command identifier 91, an S/C identifier 92,and a group number 93. The command identifier 91 is shared by theinitialization command and the initialization completion confirmingcommand. The S/C identifier 92 has a value of “0” or “1”. The S/Cidentifier 92 indicates the initialization when having the value of “0”,and the S/C identifier 92 indicates the initialization completionconfirmation when having the value of “1”. That is, the electronicdevice 4 that receives the packet 90 can determine the packet 90 is theinitialization command or the initialization completion confirmingcommand by the value of the S/C identifier 92.

The packet 90 can also be applied to the second example. In such cases,the group number CC can be removed.

Fourth Example

A fourth example will be described below. In the fourth example, insteadof allocating the group number GN to each electronic device 4, theelectronic devices 4 are classified into groups by the number of timesin which the packet including the initialization command is received.

For example, in FIG. 23 , the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4 areconfigured to perform the initialization in receiving the packetincluding the initialization command at the first time, the electronicdevices 4-5 to 4-8 are configured to perform the initialization inreceiving the packet at the second time, the electronic devices 4-9 to4-12 are configured to perform the initialization in receiving thepacket at the third time, and the electronic devices 4-13 to 4-16 areconfigured to perform the initialization in receiving the packet at thefourth time. For example, this information is stored in the register 9.For example, the timing at which the information is stored in theregister 9 may be Step S14 or Step S13, or the timing may exist duringproduction.

The electronic device 4 that receives the packet including theinitialization command increments the number of receiving times andretains the number of receiving times in the register 9. The processingunit 8 determines whether the incremented number of receiving times ismatched with the number of receiving times stored in the register 9.When the incremented number of receiving times is matched with thenumber of receiving times stored in the register 9, the processing unit8 performs the initialization and transmit the packet to the nextelectronic device 4. When the incremented number of receiving times isnot matched with the number of receiving times stored in the register 9,the processing unit 8 transmits the packet to the next electronic device4 without performing the initialization.

The operation associated with the group number CC in FIG. 23 is removedin the operation of the host apparatus 2.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 , the electronicdevices 4-1 to 4-4 are initialized when the host apparatus 2 initiallytransmits the packet including the initialization command. Theelectronic devices 4-5 to 4-8 are initialized when the host apparatus 2transmits the packet at the second time. The electronic devices 4-9 to4-12 are initialized when the host apparatus 2 transmits the packet atthe third time. The electronic devices 4-13 to 4-15 are initialized whenthe host apparatus 2 transmits the packet at the fourth time. In suchcases, the initialization completion confirming command is not required.However, the initialization completion confirming command may be used.In this case, the operation of the electronic device 4 is similar tothat in FIG. 14 .

According to the method, it is not necessary to include the group numberin the packet including the initialization command and initializationcompletion confirming command

In the example illustrated in FIG. 26 to FIG. 29 , the electronic device4-3 is initialized when the host apparatus 2 initially transmits thepacket including the initialization command. The electronic device 4-1is initialized when the host apparatus 2 transmits the packet at thesecond time. The electronic devices 4-2 and 4-4 are initialized when thehost apparatus 2 transmits the packet at the third time (electronicdevices 4-2 and 4-4 are allocated to the group having the number ofreceiving times (in other words, GN) of 2).

In the fourth example, the number of receiving times in each electronicdevice 4 is incremented every time the electronic device 4 receives theinitialization command. Accordingly, it is necessary that the hostsystem allocate the group to the electronic device 4 such that all theelectronic devices 4 belonging to the groups can start theinitialization in response to one initialization command. That is, it isnecessary to perform the grouping in consideration of the number ofpower units P necessary to initialize the electronic devices 4. Morespecifically, the number of electronic devices 4 belonging to one group(the number of receiving times) is selected such that the total numberof power units ΣP necessary to initialize all electronic devices 4belonging to the group does not exceed the number of power units M thatcan be used by the host apparatus 2.

Effect

The processing in Step S14 of the first embodiment can be performed bythe above-described method. The effect similar to that of the firstembodiment is obtained in the second embodiment.

Third Embodiment

A semiconductor system and an electronic device initializing methodaccording to a third embodiment will be described below. The thirdembodiment relates to an operation in performing re-initialization inthe first and second embodiments. Because other configurations andoperations are similar to those of the first and second embodiments, thedescription is omitted.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating a host apparatus 2 and one ofelectronic devices 4, and particularly illustrating a configurationrelating to a power supply line. As illustrated in FIG. 32 , the hostapparatus 2 includes voltage generation circuits 26-1 and 26-2. Thevoltage generation circuit 26-1 generates a voltage VDD1, and thevoltage generation circuit 26-2 generates a voltage VDD2. WhereVDD1>VDD2 (or VDD1 and VDD2 may be substantially equal to each other orVDD1=VDD2). The voltages VDD1 and VDD2 are supplied as a power supplyvoltage to the electronic device 4.

The electronic device 4 is operated based on the voltages VDD1 and VDD2.The electronic device 4 roughly includes a controller 27, a device unit28, and a regulator 29. The device unit 28 performs main functions (suchas a memory function and a wireless LAN function) of the electronicdevice 4. The controller 27 has a function of performing interfaceprocessing with the host apparatus 2 and a function of controlling thedevice unit 28. For example, the controller 27 corresponds to thecontroller 30 illustrated in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and thedevice unit 28 corresponds to the NAND type flash memory 31 illustratedin FIG. 6 . The regulator 29 regulates the voltages VDD1 and/or VDD2 toproduce a voltage VDD3 (for example, 1.2 V) lower than the voltages VDD1and VDD2.

The device unit 4 is operated with the voltage VDD1 as the power supplyvoltage. The controller 27 is operated with the voltage VDD3, producedby the regulator 29, as the power supply voltage. Particularly, in thecontroller 27, a circuit block that performs the interface processingwith the host apparatus 2 is operated with the voltage VDD3 as the powersupply voltage, and the voltage VDD3 is also provided as the powersupply voltage to a register 9.

The register 9 includes an initialization flag. The initialization flagincludes a flag VDD2ON and a flag DIDA. The initialization flag will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 33 . FIG. 33 illustrates theinitialization flag and an operation of the host apparatus 2 accordingto the initialization flag.

The flag VDD2ON indicates the state of the voltage VDD2. The flagVDD2ON=“0” indicates the state immediately after the voltage VDD2 ispowered on and the state in which the initialization is not completedfor the electronic device 4. The flag VDD2ON=“1” indicates the state inwhich the voltage VDD2 is powered on and maintained even after theinitialization is completed for the electronic device 4. In other words,the flag VDD2ON is information indicating whether supply stop of thevoltage VDD2 is occurred after the last initialization with respect tothe electronic device 4.

The flag DIDA indicates whether the allocation of the device ID isrequired. The flag DIDA=“0” indicates that the allocation of the deviceID is required. Examples of the flag DIDA=“0” includes the states inSteps S10 to S12 of FIG. 2 and the addition of the new electronic device4. The flag DIDA=“1” indicates that the allocation of the device ID isnot required. For example, the flag DIDA=“1” corresponds to the statethe new electronic device 4 is not added in the processing from Step S13of FIG. 2 .

As described above, the power supply voltage of the register 9 is thevoltage VDD3 that is obtained by regulating the voltage VDD2.Accordingly, the information in the register 9 is not deleted as long asthe voltage VDD2 is supplied even if the supply of the voltage VDD1 isstopped. Specifically, the device ID in each electronic device 4,capability information, the operating condition set in Steps S16 and S17of FIG. 2 , and the initialization flag are maintained as long as thesupply of the voltage VDD2 is stopped.

There are two kinds of re-initialization. That is, firstre-initialization is recovery from a power-down mode, and secondre-initialization is initialization performed to only one electronicdevice. The first initialization and the second initialization will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 2 .

First Re-Initialization

The recovery from the power-down mode (dormant state) is performed in aprocedure similar to that of the initialization. However, when the flagVDD2ON is checked to obtain the VDD2ON=“1”, only the processing in StepS10 in FIG. 2 is performed. Other pieces of processing in Steps S12 toS17 may be not performed.

Second Re-Initialization

The procedure of re-initializing only one electronic device is supportedin the semiconductor system 1 of the third embodiment. In this case, notthe broadcast command but the unicast command is used. When a specificelectronic device is reset by a reset command, the electronic devicereturns to the state in which the allocation of the device ID iscompleted in Step S13 (Step S18 of FIG. 2 ). Only the specificelectronic device 4 is initialized by a unicast initialization command.Although the pieces of processing in Steps S14 to S17 are required inthe case of VDD2ON=“0”, the performance may be omitted in the pieces ofprocessing in Steps S14 to S17 because the register setting value isretained in the case of VDD2ON=“1”.

Effect

The effect similar to that of the first embodiment is obtained even inthe configuration of the third embodiment. Additionally, the speedenhancement of the re-initialization operation can be achieved in thethird embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the host apparatus 2 supplies the two kinds ofthe power supply voltages VDD1 and VDD2 to the electronic device 4. Thereason for supplying the low-voltage power supply VDD2 is that thesemiconductor system meets the speed enhancement of the operation. Thehigh-voltage power supply VDD1 is used in the device unit 28 in theelectronic device 4, and the low-voltage power supply VDD2 (the powersupply VDD3 produced by regulating the power supply VDD2) is used in thecommunication between the controller 27 and the host apparatus 2. Theinformation in the register 9 is not deleted as long as the low-voltagepower supply VDD2 is supplied. Accordingly, in a period in which theelectronic device 4 is not used, the supply of the high-voltage powersupply VDD1 can be stopped to reduce the power consumption.

In the re-initialization, unless the supply of the low-voltage powersupply VDD2 is stopped, the information in the register 9 can be used.Accordingly, the pieces of processing in Step S12 to S17 of FIG. 2 canbe omitted. That is, it is not necessary to perform there-initialization sequence, but the electronic device 4 can be returnedto the usable state. Accordingly, the electronic device 4 can quicklyrecover from the power-down state.

Modification of Third Embodiment

In the third embodiment, the host apparatus 2 refers to the flag DIDAand the flag VDD2ON by way of example. However, it is not alwaysnecessary to provide the flag DIDA and the flag VDD2ON.

This is because whether the second power supply voltage VDD2 is shutdown after the last initialization is the well-known information for thehost apparatus 2. Therefore, the host apparatus 2 performs theinitialization sequence of FIG. 2 again in case where the host apparatus2 shut down the second power supply voltage VDD2 after theinitialization, and the host apparatus 2 omits the initializationsequence of FIG. 2 when the host apparatus 2 did not shut down thesecond power supply voltage VDD2.

Alternatively, the host apparatus 2 may issue an initial command afterrecovering the first power supply voltage VDD1 and may detect responsetime-out. The time-out of the response means the state in which theelectronic device 4 cannot be used yet, that is, the host apparatus 2can determine that the second power supply voltage VDD2 is shut down inpast time. At this point, the host apparatus 2 performs a power cycle toperform the re-initialization.

Beside the power supply condition, there is re-initialization processingassociated with the reset command. The reset command is roughlyclassified into two kinds.

First, a command (CMD0) pursuant to the SD interface will be described.The command (CMD0) resets only an upper layer that processes the SDcommand. For example, for the UHS-II card, the layer is roughly dividedinto a physical layer, a link layer, and a transaction layer. Thephysical layer is an I/O cell unit based on the LVDS technology. Thephysical layer performs serial-parallel conversion of an LVDS signal toobtain a frequency that can be operated in the LSI. At this point, forexample, 8B10B coding is used. The link layer performs processing inunits of symbol (for example, 1 symbol is 2 bytes). That is, forexample, the link layer is involved in encode and decode of the symbol,and symbol synchronization. The transaction layer performs packet-basedtransmission, and the transaction layer is involved in communication bya command-response described in the packet, transfer of the packetizeddata, and protocol-based management. An interval between SOP (Start ofPacket) and EOP (End of Packet) is the packet.

When the command CMD0 is issued, only the transaction layer isinitialized, and the physical layer and link layer, which are lower thanthe physical layer, are not initialized.

Another command is Full_Reset. According to the command Full_Reset, allthe layers are initialized to put the electronic device 4 in the stateimmediately after the power-on. In this case, therefore, theinitialization sequence is required. The command CMD0 is also issuedduring the initialization.

When only the command CMD0 is issued, it is not necessary to set theregister (Steps S16 and S17B of FIG. 2 ) (the information in theregister is not lost). On the other hand, when the command Full_Reset(including the command CMD0) is issued, it is necessary to reset theregister.

Fourth Embodiment

A semiconductor system and an electronic device initializing methodaccording to a fourth embodiment will be described below. The fourthembodiment relates to various connection methods of an electronic device4 in the first to third embodiments. Hereinafter, the description of thesame point as the first to third embodiments is omitted.

First Connection Example

In the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the electronicdevices 4 are ring-connected by way of example. On the other hand, a hubmay be used as illustrated in a first connection example of the fourthembodiment. FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating an example of asemiconductor system 1 according to the first connection example of thefourth embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 34 , the semiconductor system 1 includes a hostapparatus 2, electronic devices 4-1 to 4-3, and a hub 100. For example,the hub 100 includes four ports P1 to P4, and a packet is transferred inthe order from ports P1 to P4. The host apparatus 2 is connected to theport P1 of the hub 100, and electronic devices 4-1 to 4-3 are connectedto the ports P2 to P4, respectively. The configurations and operationsof the host apparatus 2 and electronic devices 4 are described in thefirst to fourth embodiments. Similarly to the first embodiment of FIG.11 , square marks of FIG. 34 indicate a field 42-1 (start device ID) anda field 42-2 (the number of devices) of a payload for the purpose of aflow of the packet. Obviously the packet-flow illustrated in FIG. 34 issimilarly applied to the processing of Step S14.

The flow of the packet transmitted by the host apparatus 2 will bedescribed below. The packet is transmitted to the hub 100, and the hub100 transfers the packet to the electronic device 4-1. The electronicdevice 4-1 returns the packet to the hub 100 after performing necessaryprocessing. Then the hub 100 transfers the packet received from theelectronic device 4-1 to the electronic device 4-2. The electronicdevice 4-2 returns the packet to the hub 100 after performing necessaryprocessing. Then the hub 100 transfers the packet received from theelectronic device 4-2 to the electronic device 4-3. The electronicdevice 4-3 returns the packet to the hub 100 after performing necessaryprocessing. Finally the hub 100 returns the packet received from theelectronic device 4-3 to the host apparatus 2.

Second Connection Example

A second connection example will be described below with reference toFIG. 35 . FIG. 35 is a block diagram of a semiconductor system 1according to the second connection example of the fourth embodiment. Thesecond connection example relates to a two-stage hub connection.

As illustrated in FIG. 35 , the semiconductor system 1 includes a hostapparatus 2, electronic devices 4-1 to 4-5, and hubs 100-1 and 100-2.For example, each of the hubs 100-1 and 100-2 includes four ports P1 toP4, and the packet is transferred in the order from ports P1 to P4. Thehost apparatus 2 is connected to the port P1 of the hub 100-1, andelectronic devices 4-1 and 4-5 are connected to the ports P2 and P4,respectively, and the port P1 of the hub 100-2 is connected to the portP3. The electronic devices 4-2 to 4-4 are connected to the ports P2 toP4 of the hub 100-2, respectively. The configurations and operations ofthe host apparatus 2 and electronic device 4 are described in the firstto third embodiments. Similarly to the first embodiment of FIG. 11 ,square marks of FIG. 35 indicate a field 42-1 (initial value of a deviceID) and a field 42-2 (the number of devices) of a payload for thepurpose of a flow of the packet. The packet-flow illustrated in FIG. 35is similarly applied to the processing of Step S14.

The flow of the packet transmitted by the host apparatus 2 will bedescribed below. The hub 100-1 receives the packet from the hostapparatus 2, and the hub 100-1 transfers the packet to the electronicdevice 4-1. The electronic device 4-1 returns the packet to the hub100-1. The hub 100-1 transmits the packet received from the electronicdevice 4-1 to the hub 100-2. The hub 100-2 transmits the packet receivedfrom the hub 100-1 to the electronic device 4-2. The electronic device4-2 returns the packet to the hub 100-2. The hub 100-2 transmits thepacket received from the electronic device 4-2 to the electronic device4-3. The electronic device 4-3 returns the packet to the hub 100-2. Thenthe hub 100-2 transmits the packet received from the electronic device4-3 to the electronic device 4-4. The electronic device 4-4 returns thepacket to the hub 100-2. The hub 100-2 returns the packet received fromthe electronic device 4-4 to the hub 100-1. The hub 100-1 transmits thepacket received from the hub 100-2 to the electronic device 4-5, and theelectronic device 4-5 returns the packet to the hub 100-1. Finally thehub 100-1 returns the packet received from the electronic device 4-5 tothe host apparatus 2.

Effect

As described above, the configurations of the first to third embodimentscan be applied to not only the ring connection but also the hubconnection, and the effect similar to that of the first to thirdembodiments is obtained in the fourth embodiment. The hub 100 originallyhas the function of transferring the packet to the electronic device 4when the packet is broadcasted from the host apparatus 2. Accordingly,it is not necessary for the host apparatus 2 to understand theconnection relationship among the plural electronic devices 4.

Fifth Embodiment

A semiconductor system and an electronic device initializing methodaccording to a fifth embodiment will be described below. The fifthembodiment relates to specific examples of the first to fourthembodiments. Hereinafter, the description of the same point as the firstto third embodiments is omitted.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a memory systemaccording to the fifth embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 36 , a memorysystem 110 includes a host controller 111, a card slot 112, a CPU(central processing unit) 113, a system memory 114, electronic devices4-1 to 4-4, and a hub 100.

The CPU 113 controls the whole operation of the memory system 110, andthe CPU 113 is operated according to a program stored in a ROM (ReadOnly Memory, not illustrated). The system memory 114 is used in orderthat the CPU 113 temporarily stored various pieces of data in the systemmemory 114, and the system memory 114 is used to execute the executableprogram.

The host controller 111 corresponds to the host apparatus 2 of the firstto fourth embodiments. The host controller 111 includes various piecesof hardware and software, various protocols, and the like, which arenecessary to conduct communication with a device (element) possiblyconnected to the host controller 111. Specifically, the host controller111 is configured to be able to communicate with the electronic devices4 through a plurality of signal lines. Examples of the signal lineinclude a signal line through which a packet is transferred, a signalline through which a clock is transferred, and a power supply line (VDD1and VDD2, described previously). Part of the function of the hostcontroller 111 outputs and captures the signals on the signal linesaccording to previously-set rules. More specifically, the hostcontroller 111 analyzes the signal supplied through the signal line torecognize a previously-set bit pattern from the signal, and the hostcontroller 111 captures a command from the signal. Similarly the hostcontroller 111 recognizes a predetermined bit pattern to capture datafrom the signal. There are prepared various commands defined in the hostcontroller 111. For example, the host controller 111 can be implementedby part of the function of the CPU, which is executed under the controlof the software, or a semiconductor chip such the functions can berealized.

More specifically, the host controller 111 supports the signal lines D0and D1 through which the packet is transferred and the signal linethrough which the clock RCLK are transferred. That is, the hostcontroller 111 is configured to transfer the data using these signallines. More specifically, the host controller 111 is configured to beable to control, for example, the SD interface.

The electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4 are incorporated in the memory system110. Any type of device configured to be able to communicate with theCPU 113 through the host controller 111 can be used as the electronicdevices 4-1 to 4-4. A memory device and a wireless LAN (Local AreaNetwork) device can be cited as an example of the device. A main part ofthe device that can be used as the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4 can beimplemented by a well-known technology according to the function of eachof the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4. The electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4can be implemented using the semiconductor chip sealed in a portabledevice such as the SD card.

The electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4 include device units 28-1 to 28-4 inorder to perform main functions (such as a memory function and awireless LAN function) of the electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4,respectively. The electronic devices 4-1 to 4-4 also include controllers(device controller) 27-1 to 27-4, respectively. Each of the controllers27-1 to 27-4 is configured to be able to communicate with the CPU 113through the host controller 111 using an interface. That is, each of thecontrollers 27-1 to 27-4 includes hardware and software configurationsin order to support the interface.

When the host controller 111 supports the SD interface, the controllers27-1 to 27-4 are configured to support the SD interface as well. Thecontrollers 27-1 to 27-4 may be implemented as the CPU and/or thesemiconductor chip, which is independent of the device units 28-1 to28-4. Alternatively, a semiconductor chip in which the controller 27-1to 27-4 and the device units 28-1 to 28-4 are integrated may beimplemented.

Similarly to the first to fourth embodiments, each of the controllers27-1 to 27-4 includes an input signal pin 5, an output signal pin 6, apacket decoder 7, a processing unit 8, a register 9, and a packet updatecircuit 10.

The electronic devices 4-1 and 4-2 are memory devices. The electronicdevices 4-1 and 4-2 include the NAND type flash memories as device units28-1 and 28-2. The NAND type flash memory includes a plurality of pagesas a storage region. Each page includes a plurality of memory celltransistors connected in series. Each memory cell transistor is formedby a so-called stacked gate structure type MOS transistor. The stackedgate structure type MOS transistor includes a gate electrode and asource/drain diffusion layer. A tunnel insulator, a charge accumulationlayer (such as floating gate electrode), an inter-electrode insulator,and a control gate electrode are sequentially stacked in the gateelectrode. In each memory cell transistor, a threshold voltage changesaccording to the number of electrons accumulated in the chargeaccumulation layer, and pieces of information are stored according to adifference of the threshold voltage. A control circuit includes a memorysense amplifier and a potential generating circuit. The control circuithas a configuration in which multi-bit data can be written in and readfrom the memory cell transistor. The data write and read are performedunits of pages. Data deletion is performed in units of blocks each ofwhich includes a plurality of pages.

For example, the electronic devices 4-3 and 4-4 are SD IO devices, andthe electronic devices 4-3 and 4-4 have the wireless LAN functions asthe device units 28-3 and 28-4.

A removable card type electronic device 4-5 (hereinafter referred to asa card device 4-5) can be inserted in and pulled out from the card slot112. The card device 4-5 includes a memory system and other devices thatare supported by the card slot 112.

The card slot 112 includes terminals to be connected to the card device4-5, and lines in the interface are connected to the correspondingterminals. When the host controller 21 supports the SD interface,terminals necessary for the SD interface are provided in the card slot112.

The card device 4-5 includes all the card devices, which cancommunicates with the host controller 111 through the SD interface, suchas the SD memory card and the SD IO card. In the example of FIG. 36 ,the card device 4-5 is the SD memory card. Similarly to the electronicdevices 4-1 to 4-4, the card device 4-5 includes a controller 27-5 and adevice unit 28-5.

Similarly to the first to fourth embodiments, the controller 27-5includes the input signal pin 5, the output signal pin 6, the packetdecoder 7, the processing unit 8, the register 9, and the packet updatecircuit 10. The device unit 28-5 includes the NAND type flash memory.The configuration of the device unit 28-5 is similar to that of thedevice units 28-1 and 28-2.

In the semiconductor system 110 having the above-describedconfiguration, the electronic device 4-1 receives the packet transmittedfrom the host controller 111, the electronic device 4-1 transfers thepacket to the electronic device 4-2, the electronic device 4-2 transfersthe packet to the electronic device 4-3, the electronic device 4-3transfers the packet to the electronic device 4-4, and the electronicdevice 4-4 transfers the packet to the hub 100.

The hub 100 transfers the packet transferred from the electronic device4-4 to the card slot 112 if needed, thereby providing the packet to thecard device 4-5 inserted in the card slot 112. The packet output fromthe output signal pin 6 of the card device 4-5 and/or the packet outputfrom the output signal pin 6 of the electronic device 4-4 are returnedto the host controller 111 through the hub 100.

The first to fourth embodiments can be applied to the configuration ofthe fifth embodiment.

Sixth Embodiment

A semiconductor system and an electronic device initializing methodaccording to a sixth embodiment will be described below. In the sixthembodiment, the first to fifth embodiments are applied to asemiconductor system including single electronic device.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram of a semiconductor system 1 according to thesixth embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 37 , the semiconductor system 1includes one electronic device 4. The electronic device 4 is the SDmemory card.

Information is transmitted and received between the memory card 4 and ahost apparatus 2 through a bus interface 120. The memory card 4 includesa NAND flash memory chip (sometimes simply referred to as a NAND flashmemory or a flash memory) 28, a memory controller 27 that controls theNAND flash memory chip 28, and a plurality of signal pins (first pin toseventeenth pin) 29.

The plurality of signal pins 29 are electrically connected to the memorycontroller 27. FIG. 38 illustrates an example of allocation of signalsto the first pin to seventeenth pin in the plurality of signal pins 29.FIG. 38 is a table illustrating the first pin to seventeenth pin and thesignals allocated to the first pin to the seventeenth pin.

The seventh pin, eighth pin, ninth pin, and first pin are allocated todata 0 to data 3, respectively. The first pin is also allocated to acard detection signal. The second pin is allocated to a command CMD, thethird pin and the sixth pin are allocated to a ground potential GND, thefourth pin is allocated to the power supply voltage VDD1 describedabove, and the fifth pin is allocated to the clock signal RCLK.

The tenth pin, thirteenth pin, fourteenth pin, and seventeenth pin areallocated to the power supply voltage VDD2 described above or groundpotential GND. The eleventh pin, twelfth pin, fifteenth pin, andsixteenth pin are allocated to the data (D1+), data (D1−), the data(D0−), and data (D0+). The data (D1+) and data (D1−), and the data (D0−)and data (D0+) are pairs of the differential signals described above,respectively. As described above, the signal pair D0+ and D0− is usedfor the signal transmission from the host apparatus 2 to the electronicdevice 4. The signal pair D1+ and D1− is used for the signaltransmission from the electronic device 4 to the host apparatus 2.

The memory card 4 is formed so as to be able to be inserted in andpulled out from the slot provided in the host apparatus 2. A hostcontroller (not illustrated) which is provided in the host apparatus 2transmits and receives various signals and data to and from the memorycontroller 27 in the electronic device 4 through the first pin toseventeenth pin. For example, when the data is written in the memorycard 4, the host controller transmits a write command as a serial signalto the memory controller 27 through the eleventh and twelfth pins. Atthis point, the memory controller 27 captures the write command providedto the eleventh and twelfth pins in response to the clock RCLK suppliedto the seventh and eighth pins.

The write command is serially input to the memory controller 27 usingonly the eleventh and twelfth pins. The eleventh and twelfth pinsallocated to the command input are disposed as illustrated in FIG. 38 .The plurality of signal pins 29 and the bus interface 120 associatedwith the pins 29 are used in order that the host controller in the hostapparatus 2 and the memory card 4 communicate with each other.

On the other hand, the communication between the NAND type flash memory28 and the memory controller 27 is conducted by a NAND flash memoryinterface. Accordingly, although not illustrated here, the NAND flashmemory 28 and the memory controller 27 are connected by, for example, an8-bit input and output (I/O) line.

In the above configuration, the memory controller 27 corresponds to thecontrollers 27 and 30 of the first to fifth embodiments, and the NANDflash memory 28 corresponds to the device units 28 and 31 of the firstto fifth embodiments. The operations of the first to third embodimentscan be performed by the configuration of the sixth embodiment. The sixthembodiment corresponds to the case of L=1 and N=1 in FIG. 2 .

Modifications

As described above, according to the semiconductor system 1 and themethod for initializing the electronic device 4 of the first to sixthembodiments, the plurality of electronic devices 4 and the hostapparatus 2 which simultaneously initializes the electronic devices 4 inunits of group are included. Therefore, the initialization speed of theelectronic device 4 can be enhanced. Note that it is not alwaysnecessary that the word “simultaneously” mean “simultaneously” in termsof time, but the word “simultaneously” means that, for example, theplurality of electronic devices 4 are initialized by one packet issuedby the host apparatus. For example, in FIG. 15 , the electronic devices4-1 to 4-4 are collectively initialized by the one-time issuance of thepacket 52. However, obviously the temporally simultaneous initializationmay be included.

That is, the electronic device 4 starts the initialization with thereception of the packet as a trigger. At this point, the electronicdevice 4 that receives the packet to start the initialization transmitsthe packet to the next electronic device 4 without waiting for theinitialization completion.

Accordingly, in the initialization start timing, although a delay isgenerated among the electronic devices 4, the period during which theplurality of electronic devices 4 simultaneously perform theinitialization exists when the time necessary for the initialization islonger than the packet transmission time.

As described above, when receiving the packet during the initialization,the electronic device 4 waits for the initialization completion, and theelectronic device 4 transmits the packet to the next electronic deviceafter the completion. Accordingly, it is necessary that the hostapparatus wait for the packet for a finite period of time until thepacket returns to the host apparatus. However, the initialization hasbeen already started by the last packet, plurality of electronic devices4 simultaneously perform the initialization, and there is a restriction(maximum time) to the time necessary for the initialization of eachelectronic device 4. Therefore, even if the number of electronic devices4 is increased, the host apparatus does not wait for the packet for along time. When the host apparatus receives the packet, theinitialization is completed for all the electronic devices 4.

The semiconductor system 1 includes the plurality of electronic devices4 and the host apparatus 2. The host apparatus 2 supplies the firstpower supply voltage VDD1 and the second power supply voltage VDD2 lowerthan the first power supply voltage VDD1 to the electronic devices 4,and the host apparatus 2 can initialize the electronic devices 4. Eachof the electronic devices 4 includes the device unit 28 and thecontroller unit 27. The device unit 28 operates using the first powersupply voltage VDD1. The controller unit 27 operates using the secondpower supply voltage VDD2, and the controller unit 27 performs theinterface processing with the host apparatus 2. The controller unit 27includes the register 9 which retains the operating conditioninformation between the host apparatus 2 and the electronic devices 4.The operating condition information in the register 9 is retained in theperiod in which the second power supply voltage VDD2 is supplied, evenif the first power supply voltage VDD1 is shut down.

In the first embodiment, both the signals D0+ and D0− have the “L” levelwhen the semiconductor system 1 is in the dormant state. Alternatively,the signals D0+ and D0− may have the “H” level. Even in the case, thesignal D0+ or D0− may change to the “L” level by the transmission of thesymbol STB, thereby detecting that the signal D0 changes to thedifferential level. The same holds true for the signal D1.

In addition to the SD memory card, the embodiments can be applied todevices such as a UHS (Ultra High Speed)-II card which transfer the dataat high speed. When the electronic device 4 is the memory device, thememory structure of the electronic device 4 is not limited to the NANDflash memory, but memory structures of a NOR flash memory and asemiconductor memory except the flash memory may be used as the memorystructure of the electronic device 4.

In the embodiments, the operations are described with reference tovarious flowcharts. However, each flowchart is described only by way ofexample. The steps may be interchanged as much as possible, theplurality of steps may simultaneously be performed, and some steps maypossibly be omitted.

For example, in FIG. 2 , the transfer of the boot code (Step S12) andthe allocation of the device ID (Step S13) can be interchanged. Forexample, when the boot code is transferred immediately after the hostapparatus 2 powers on the semiconductor device 3, the processing in StepS12 can be performed before the processing in Step S13 as illustrated inFIG. 2 . Alternatively, the electronic device 4 may make a request toissue the read command to the host apparatus 2. That is, the electronicdevice 4 that retains the boot code makes a request to read the bootcode to the host apparatus 2 immediately after the power-on. The hostapparatus 2 reads the boot code from the electronic device 4 in responseto the request. Thus, the processing in Step S13 is performed before theprocessing in Step S12 when the read command is issued from the side ofthe electronic device 4.

The flowchart can be performed by hardware, software, or a combinationthereof. When the flowchart is performed by software, a programcorresponding to the flowchart is stored in the ROM, and the processorsuch as the CPU executes the program to perform the operation describedin the flowchart.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor system comprising: a hostapparatus programmed to initialize a plurality of electronic devices inunits of a group using one packet, wherein the host apparatus is furtherprogrammed to transmit a packet for initialization of the electronicdevices, the packet including a first group number and a first number ofpower units available for the initialization, wherein each of theelectronic devices includes a processor and a register, the registerstoring a second group number and a second number of power units, thesecond number of power units being a number of required power unitsduring initialization of each of the electronic devices, the pluralityof electronic devices sequentially receiving the packet, wherein foreach of the plurality of electronic devices, the processor is programmedto determine that the first group number is matched with the secondgroup number, and the first number of power units is not lower than thesecond number of power units, and based on that determination theprocessor which has not been initialized performs the initialization,the processor updates the first number of power units to a differentialvalue obtained when the second number of power units is subtracted fromthe first number of power units, and the processor transmits the packetto a next electronic device, and wherein the processor is programmed todetermine that an electronic device has been already initialized, andbased on that determination the processor transmits the packet to thenext electronic device without performing the initialization.
 2. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed todetermine that the electronic device is currently being initialized, andbased on that determination the processor transmits the packet to thenext electronic device after waiting for initialization completion. 3.The system according to claim 1, wherein the packet further includes aninitialization completion flag, and the processor is programmed todetermine that the electronic device has not been initialized or is notcurrently being initialized, and based on that determination theprocessor updates the initialization completion flag to informationindicating that the initialization is not completed yet and theprocessor transmits the packet to the next electronic device.
 4. Thesystem according to claim 3, wherein the host apparatus is programmed toset the initialization completion flag as an initial value and transmitthe packet to a first electronic device, in receiving the packet whoseinitialization completion flag indicates that the initialization iscompleted, the host apparatus determines that the initialization iscompleted for all the electronic devices, and in returning the packetwhose initialization completion flag indicates that the initializationis not completed, the host apparatus determines that there is at leastan electronic device that has not completed the initialization.
 5. Thesystem according to claim 3, wherein when the host apparatus determinesthat the initialization completion flag indicates that theinitialization is not completed, the host apparatus is programmed toretransmit the packet without updating the first group number, whenreceiving, from an electronic device, the packet including the firstnumber of power units different from that in transmission, and the hostapparatus updates the first group number to retransmit the packet, whenreceiving, from an electronic device, the packet including the firstnumber of power units identical to that in the transmission.
 6. Asemiconductor device comprising: a first electronic device including afirst processor and a first register; and a second electronic deviceincluding a second processor and a second register; wherein the firstelectronic device receives a packet transmitted from a host apparatus,the packet including a first group number and a first number of powerunits available for initialization; and the second electronic devicereceives the packet from the first electronic device, the firstprocessor is programmed to initialize the first electronic device withthe packet, the second processor is programmed to initialize the secondelectronic device with the packet, each of the first and secondregisters stores a second group number and a second number of powerunits, in a case the first electronic device which has not beeninitialized receives the packet, the first processor is programmed todetermine that the first group number is matched with the second groupnumber, and the first number of power units is not lower than the secondnumber of power units required for the initialization of the firstelectronic device, and based on that determination the first processorperforms the initialization of the first electronic device, the firstprocessor updates the first number of power units to a differentialvalue obtained when the second number of power units is subtracted fromthe first number of power units, and the first processor transmits thepacket to the second electronic device, and in a case the firstelectronic device which is initializing receives the packet, the firstprocessor is programmed to wait until end of initialization and thentransmits the packet without performing the initialization to the secondelectronic device, and in a case the first electronic device which hasbeen already initialized receives the packet, the first processor isprogrammed to immediately transmit the packet without performing theinitialization to the second electronic device.
 7. The device accordingto claim 6, wherein the first processor is programmed to transmit thepacket after the initialization completion when receiving the packetduring initialization.
 8. A method for initializing an electronicdevice, comprising: receiving, by the electronic device, a transmittedpacket from a host apparatus, the packet including a first group numberand a first number of power units available for the initialization;transferring the packet sequentially among a plurality of electronicdevices, a second group number being set to each of the electronicdevices, a second number of power units being required forinitialization of each of the electronic devices; and performing theinitialization for an electronic device which has not been initialized,updating the first number of power units to a differential valueobtained when the second number of power units is subtracted from thefirst number of power units, and transmitting the packet to a nextelectronic device, when the first group number is matched with thesecond group number of the electronic device, and the first number ofpower units is not lower than the second number of power units for theelectronic device; waiting until completion of the initialization andtransmitting the packet to the next electronic device without performingthe initialization by an electronic device which is initializing; andtransmitting the packet immediately to the next electronic devicewithout performing the initialization by an electronic device which hasbeen already initialized.
 9. The method according to claim 8, whereinthe electronic device which is currently being initialized transmits thepacket to the next electronic device after waiting for initializationcompletion.
 10. A semiconductor device comprising one or more electronicdevices, each of the one or more electronic devices comprising: an inputpart configured to receive a packet; a function circuit configured toupdate the packet; and an output part configured to output the packet,wherein the one or more electronic devices are connected such that thepacket transmitted from a host controller is sequentially transferredthrough the one or more electronic devices and returned to the hostcontroller, when the packet is a broadcast packet used forinitialization of the one or more electronic devices, the packetincludes a first group number for identifying a group of each of the oneor more electronic devices and a first number of power units indicatingelectric power available by the group for the initialization, a secondgroup number and a second number of power units are stored in each ofthe one or more electronic devices, the second number of power units isa number of required power units during initialization of each of theone or more electronic devices, the second group number indicates towhich group each of the one or more electronic devices belongs, when thefirst group number is matched with the second group number, and thefirst number of power units is not lower than the second number of powerunits, one of the one or more electronic devices which has not beeninitialized performs the initialization, and updates, by the functioncircuit, the first number of power units to a differential valueobtained by subtracting the second number of power units from the firstnumber of power units and output the packet through the output part, andone of the one or more electronic devices which does not performinitialization by the received packet outputs the packet through theinput part without updating the first number of power units.
 11. Thesemiconductor device according to claim 10, wherein when the one or moreelectronic devices which are currently being initialized receive thepacket for the initialization of the one or more electronic devices, theone or more electronic devices output the packet without updating thepacket after waiting for initialization completion.
 12. Thesemiconductor device according to claim 10, wherein the packet furtherincludes an initialization completion flag, and the one or moreelectronic devices which have not been initialized or which are notcurrently being initialized update the initialization completion flag toinformation indicating that the initialization is not completed yet andoutput the packet.
 13. The semiconductor device according to claim 10,wherein one or more electronic devices that receive the packet to startthe initialization output the packet without waiting for theinitialization completion.